Wednesday November 29, 2006
Spending it like there's no tomorrow
By JAYAGANDI JAYARAJ
THIS is not the first time that the Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) is spending public funds for a luxurious meeting at a hilltop resort.
There have been two other incidents prior to this. Two years ago, councillors for 2004-2006 term held a seminar in Guoman, Port Dickson.
Then, there was this 10-day working trip to South Africa nine months ago by MPS president Zainal Abidin Azim, secretary Jamri Basni and the rest of the councillors.
Over the years, there have also been outcry over the blatant misuse of public funds.
The Klang Municipal Council, for instance, created a controversy in July 2003 when RM200,000 was spent on ceremonial robes and a mace for its councillors to wear during full board meetings. Such get-togethers were also conducted in ceremonial procedures.
Council president Datuk Mohd Sharif Yusof was quoted as saying then that the new attire would “change the mindset of the councillors and the public to have a sense of self-esteem.''
On Jan 18 last year, an eight-day educational tour, booked for 10 employees of the Selangor Public Accounts Committee (PAC), was called off as it was deemed “inappropriate.'' It involved museum visits and belly dancing on a cruise along the River Nile.
After a public outcry, the tour itinerary was revised, but the trip was eventually called off when Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim pulled out. His reason was that the itinerary had deviated from the original tour's objectives.
PAC then wanted the state government to foot the bill which had amounted to about RM74,000.
City Hall came under fire when, in June 2006, the Public Accounts Committee chairman Datuk Shahrir Samad described the Grooming and Etiquette Course for City Hall's top brass as a waste of public funds.
The expenditure amounted to more than RM94,000 and was held in a five-star hotel.
The amount included the purchase of tuxedos worth a whopping RM2,500 each.
Related Story:
Council with expensive tastes
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