MB flayed for defending family of councillors
Malaysiakini
Oct  16, 2006
Muhammad Razif

Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo has come under the crosshairs of opposition leaders again.

This time around, for defending the appointments of Port Klang state assemblyperson Zakaria Mat Deros, his son and daughter-in-law as Klang Municipal Council (MPK) councillors.

“Although the law permits this, but as far as image is concerned and from a moral perspective, it is not right,” said Gombak PAS chief Dr Hatta Ramli today.

“The laws were formulated by the Selgangor state government leaders, and they should have used their discretion.

“When issues of cronyism and nepotism such as this arise, they must make exceptions even if Zakaria’s family members are qualified to hold the posts,” he added.

Hatta said the manner in which Mohd Khir handled the issue was “irresponsible and disappointing” especially when Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is promoting transparency and integrity.

On Saturday, the menteri besar said the appointments of Zakaria, his son Zainuri and the latter’s wife Roselinda Abdul Jalil were not wrong as long as they do not abuse their positions.

Zakaria heads the Umno Klang division, while Zainur is the acting Youth chief for the division while his wife heads the Puteri wing.

The trio were appointed based on their capacity as leaders in the Umno division.

This is the second time a ‘family affair’ controversy has erupted in the MPK. At one time, the council was ‘controlled’ by the family of former Selangor state assembly speaker Onn Ismail.

Onn’s daughter Noor Hayati, her ex-husband as well as another son-in-law of the speaker, Faizal Abdullah, were appointed as councillors.

Hold elections

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president also criticised Mohd Khir’s defence of the latest appointments.

Azmin, who was the former Hulu Kelang state assemblyperson, said the menteri besar’s response showed that he was not sensitive to the people’s wish to end the practice of cronyism and nepotism.

“Appointing family members to a local council at the same time is not right as this can incline towards abuse of power and corruption,” he added when contacted.

He said state governments should be more responsible and appoint professionals and those from diverse backgrounds as councillors.

“Only through this way, can the management of local councils be monitored and their work be carried out efficiently so that the tax paying public can enjoy a better quality of service,” he added.

Azmin stressed that state governments should stop appointing politicians as councillors as this had proven to be a detrimental practice.

“There should be local council elections. This will allow the people to choose the councilors they want,” he said.