Penang BN wives head off controversy
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 29, 2008 

The Penang association of wives of Barisan Nasional elected representatives has taken a pre-emptive strike to explain its dissolution and financial status, to avoid the
MCPX
controversy in which its Selangor counterpart, Balkis, is mired.

Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT) ex-president Chui Kah Peng said in a statement today that the group was similarly dissolved after Penang fell into opposition hands in the March 8 general election.

In Selangor, Balkis - the now-dissolved association of wives of elected representatives - is facing questions about its transfer of RM9.9 million from its account to Bakti, the association of wives of federal BN leaders.

PBT, which was based on the Bakti model, had sent out a circular on Feb 2 calling for an annual general meeting on March 2. However, on the request of members, the meeting was postponed to March 9.

koh tsu koon 01Chui, a founder of PBT in 1992 and wife of former Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon (photo), said that 45  members - or three-fifths of the membership - then met and unanimously resolved to dissolve the association and donate the balance of funds amounting to RM590,665.

"As Article 5 of the PBT Constitution states that 'Ordinary Members are to be made up of wives of ADUNs and MPs of Penang, except for those from the opposition' hence it is very clear that at the time of formation in 1992 PBT was meant for BN representatives’ wives and had an affiliation with Bakti at the federal level.

"After indepth discussion, all members present decided that under the present circumstances, PBT would not be able to carry out the objectives in the spirit in which it was founded," said Chui.

The Bureau of Learning Difficulties (Bold) in Seberang Perai received RM220,000 for three years’ worth of support, while the balance went to Bakti (RM350,000), the Penang Cheshire Home, the Mental Health Association of Penang and Mt Miriam Hospital.

Unanimous decision

Besides receiving an annual grant of RM10,000 from the state government, PBT’s finances have come from fund-raising events and advertisements in PBT publications, Chui said.

The group set up the Bilik Bunga Tanjung (a recreation area for children) at the paediatric ward of the Penang Hospital, and sponsored SPM examination fees for needy students, as well as the establishment and operations of Pusat Bold.

“In accordance with the unanimous decision of members to dissolve PBT, the committee proceeded to submit the relevant documents to the Registrar of Societies,” the statement read.

“Since PBT is a non-government body and is a society registered under the Societies Act, the issue of automatic vacating of positions of office after the elections does not arise. Furthermore, at this point in time, we have no plans to form a new association.”

The statement explained that Article 5 of the constitution states: ‘Ordinary Members are to be made up of wives of (state assemblypersons) and MPs of Penang, except for those from the opposition’.

This makes it clear that PBT was only meant for BN representatives’ wives.

The accounts were audited by Hanafiah Raslan & Mohamad, a member-firm of Ernst and Young Global.

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