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Wednesday March 12, 2008

New PJ assemblymen promise to be non-partisan

By BRIAN MARTIN and TAN KARR WEI

Bukit Gasing: Edward Lee
OVER the next few weeks, Petaling Jaya’s six newly elected assemblymen will be meeting NGO’s, community leaders and professionals.

The reason?

To get names of people they think are suitable to fill the 24 vacancies available as Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillors.

“If you fit the bill, expect a call from your assemblyman,” said a source close to the elected representatives. He said age and race were not a criteria.

“We will be totally non-partisan. You do not have to be an ex-councillor to qualify. Most of all we will be looking at the individual’s capability,” he said.

The source said the new state government was looking at candidates who were proficient in areas that could help MBPJ.

“For example, because of all the illegal billboard issues that have cropped up over the last two years in Petaling Jaya, we are looking for an outdoor advertising industry person to sit in the council,” he said.

The source also confirmed that the appointed councillors do not have to give up their day jobs.

Workplace: A file picture of the then Petaling Jaya Municipal Council headquarters which is now MBPJ headquarters.
“Being an MBPJ councillor is not a full-time job. You are only paid RM500 as a token allowance. All we expect from the councillors is to ensure they attend the various committee meetings as well as the monthly full council meeting,” he said.

MBPJ has suspended all committee meetings for the time being, pending the formation of the new state government. The terms of the current batch of councillors expire in October, but the council no longer recognises them.

A check by StarMetro showed that there is a cloud of uncertainty among MBPJ councillors about their positions.

Seri Setia: Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad
Some councillors were waiting for the new state government to give directives but others are sure that they should be on their way out by now.

Councillor Dr Ng Khek Kiung, who is still waiting for further directives, said since the council members were appointed by the previous ruling party, they are now technically ruled out as councillors.

MBPJ councillor Nor Azman Mohd Nor, however, said their terms were until October so he would wait for further instructions.

“If they want us to stay on, we would,” he said.

With the state government going through a change of hands, councillor Wong Chee Yong feels that it would mean an automatic exit for the current councillors because the new government would appoint its own people.

Taman Medan: Haniza Mohamed Talha
“We were appointed by the Barisan Nasional government so it is only fair for us to resign and let the new government appoint their own people,” councillor Subramaniam Veruthasalam said, adding that he would tender his resignation when he returns from an outstation trip.

Later today, the six elected PJ representatives - Edward Lee (Bukit Gasing), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Seri Setia), Haniza Mohamed Talha (Taman Medan), Dr Cheah Wing Yin (Damansara Utama), Lau Weng San (Kampung Tunku) and Elizabeth Wong (Bukit Lanjan) - would be meeting Datuk Bandar Mohamad Roslan Sakiman at his office.

Roslan, who has had a good working relationship with NGOs and community leaders, took office in Sept 2006.

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