Thursday, July 08, 2010

Another year with no Local Council elections...or people chosen councillors for Selangor

Well, the third annual appointment for Local Councillors in Pakatan Rakyat governed Selangor. 

Will we ever get Local Council Elections? Or even some other way where the Local Council members are chosen by the people in the area?

Backgrounds of the Local Councilors please. Why were they chosen?
Who were chosen because he was a member of DAP, PAS and/or PKR? - Disclose this...be open
Who is a member of DAP, PAS and/or PKR? or some other political party? Disclose this ...be open
Who are the members of the NGO? Civil Society? - Disclose this...be open
Who are those from local residents associations/groups? - Disclose this
Who are the professionals [lawyers, doctors, dentists, accountants, auditors, engineers, ...) ? - Disclose this
Who are the businessman, contractors, etc? - Disclose this
And, how many members of UMNO, MCA, MIC, GERAKAN, ...other BN component parties were appointed Councillors?

There really must be information about each and every Local Councillor - also a declaration of assets and interest, including companies/businesses their family members are involved in. Presently, only names and addresses are given, with no background information at all - WHY? Be open....be transparent.

Selangor state govt unveils new councillors list

PETALING JAYA: The Selangor state government has set up a 20-member local government advisory council comprising former councillors and members of NGOs and professional bodies.
Mentri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the advisory body was independent and would not interfere with the running of the councils.

“They will take on an advisory role on policies and strategies. They provide recommendations to the state executive council in charge of local government headed by Ronnie Liu,” he said after releasing a list of 288 councillors for the state’s 12 local councils here yesterday.

He said the advisory council would also focus on issues like implementing local council elections, waste management contracts and welfare of local council employees.

Liu said the advisory council members would be paid a “slightly higher” allowance than the councillors but the amount had not been fixed.

“They will hold meetings at least once every two months,” said Liu.

List of Selangor councillors for the 2010/2011 term

Shah Alam City Council (MBSA)
1. Abd Manaf Yusoff
2. Adzhar Maludin
3. Ang Leng Kiat
4. Azli Yusof
5. Datuk Seri Indah Diraja Datuk Abu Bakar Abdul Hamid
6. Dr Daroyah Alwi
7. Ganabatirau Veraman*
8. Izham Hashim
9. K. Gunasekaran*
10. Kamarudzaman Sanusi
11. Mariam Abdul Rashid
12. Mesni Mohd Dahlan*
13. Mohd Harris Abu Bakar
14. Mohd Ismahali Ridzwan Ismail*
15. Ng Boon Teck
16. Noraini Hussin*
17. Norhalim Sirome
18. Pushpa Lingam Sinnakanu*
19. Raja Sarinah Raja Alias*
20. Sivarajan Arumugam
21. Tan Ah Kow @ Tan Sie Wai
22. Tengku Ahmad Tengku Kasim*
23. Yogasigamany Krishnasamy *
24. Zulkhairy Mohd Nasar*

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ)
1.Ahmad Yusof Ludin
2.Anthony Siva Balan Thanasayan
3.Chan Chee Kong
4.Cynthia Manonmani Michael Gabriel
5.Derek John Fernandez
6.Ghazali Shaari
7.Halimey Abu Bakar
8.Jeyaseelen T. Anthony *
9.Kamarudin Suhaimi
10.Kandiah Subramaniam *
11.Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin *
12.Latheefa Beebi Koya
13.Mahharul Ismail
14.Mak Khuin Weng
15.Muzammil Hafiz
16.Prof Madya Dr Melasutra Md Dali
17.Richard Yeoh Yong Woi
18.Selvarajan Rathinam
19.Syed Abd Malik Syed A. Hamid Al Jafree
20.Tang Fui Koh
21.Terence Tan Teck Seng
22.Tiew Way Keng
23.Tiong Boon Keong
24.Tony Cheong Siew Thong *

Klang Municipal Council (MPKlang)
1. Andy Tan Hwai Yih *
2. Azmizam Zaman Huri
3. Datuk Setia Diraja Datuk Abdul Ghani Pateh Akhir
4. Deepakaran Karuppiah *
5. Dr Nendu Chelian *
6. Hamidah Mat Som
7. Ismail Arsat
8. Ivan Ho Fook Keong
9. Jamuliddin Elias
10. Lim Lip Suan
11. Maneyvannan Velue
12. Mat Irwan Ismail
13. Mohd Azmi Husain @ Yusoff *
14. Nalan M. Muniandy @ Balan *
15. Ng Swee Seng *
16. Noor Najhan Mohd Salleh *
17. Nor’ain Eusoff
18. Prof Madya Choo Teck Keong
19. Selvadurai Subramaniam
20. Sundarajoo Periasamy *
21. Tai Teck Chuan
22. Tan Heng Kim
23. Tee Boon Hock
24. Yew Boon Lye

Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ)
1. Arumugam Kalimuthu
2.Azizan Jamaluddin *
3.Cheah Sang Soon
4.Chong Hoong Ming
5.Edward Ling Sieak Meeng *
6.Gan Kam Seng *
7.Ismail Kamal Abdul Rahman
8.Jaberi Ami *
9.Keshminder Singh K.Karam Singh
10.Loka Ng Sai Kai *
11.Michael Tamilarason K.Nadaysen
12.Mohd Nasir Yusof
13.Ng Sze Han
14.Noor Azam Aziz *
15.Norhesni Ismail
16.Pooi Weng Keong
17.Rajiv Rishyakaran
18.Robert Tan Siang Chiok
19.Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir
20.Sapiyan Mohd Din
21.Stephen Chin Sou Bong
22.Sufari Tinnin
23.Tai Cheng Heng
24.Tan Jo Hann

Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ)
1. Abdul Jalil Hasan
2. Abdul Latif Shaari
3. Ali Ismail
4. Azlan Mat Din*
5. Cheong Chye Wah
6. Ee Wai Leong*
7. Hamsah Djabir*
8. Jafrien Muhammad
9. Lee Shok Jing
10. Mat Jusoh Dollah*
11. Meor Rithuan Mohamed Said
12. Mohamad Samat*
13. Nik Md Zain Nik Mohamad
14. Razali Ramly
15. Sharifah Zaharah Syed Agil*
16. Sian Keng Eng*
17. Soorianarayanan
18. Subramaniam Rengasamy*
19. Supiramany
20. Tnew Kon Huang
21. Wan Hasrina Wan Hassan
22. Wong Khai Pun
23. Yazid Alias*
24. Zambri Kamaruddin*

Selayang Municipal Council (MPS)
1. A Rahim b. Ahmad Kasdi
2. Abdul Majid Hasan*
3. Abd Rahim Abd Wahab
4. Datuk Paduka Raja Datuk Wan Mahmood Pa’ Wan Teh
5. Gunarajah R. George
6. Hasbullah Mohd Ridzwan
7. Husnal Azahari Sanusi*
8. Khatifah Zamani Sulong
9. Lee Khai Loon
10. Lee Sew Hong*
11. Lim Ching How
12. Low Hock Kheng*
13. Maznah Abd Aziz
14. Md. Sabri Md. Taib
15. Murugan @ Murugeshu Arumugam
16. Nanto Gopalan Krishnan Rajoo*
17. Roslin Mohd. Rosli
18. Salsasiah Disa*
19. Tan Hui Chuan
20. Tan Pok Shyong*
21. Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji
22. Zulkifli Hamzah
23. Zaidy Abu Talib*
24. Zulnizam Shahrani
Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp)
1. Azlan Mohd Samin
2. Foo Weng Fui
3. Gunalan Velayuthan
4. Hajarah Abu Samat*
5. Hidrat Samsudin
6. Jashela Ayuni Shahidan
7. Kapt (B) Jaafar Pangat
8. Lau Weng Chan
9. Lwi Kian Keong
10. Maanor Yusoff*
11. Mashadi Saein*
12. Mohamad Azif Mohamad Aris*
13. Mohamed Makki Ahmad
14. Mohd. Haslin Hassan
15. Prof. Tengku Datuk Dr Jamaluddin Tengku Mahmud Shah Al Haj
16. Pulanthran Munisamy
17. Rajalingam Ramayah*
18. Ramlan Sajadi
19. Salehudin Muhamad
20. Santokh Singh Perumal*
21. Sivakumar Periasamy*
22. Teo Lian Sang*
23. Titus Gladwyn S G Gomez
24. Wong Chuan How

Sabak Bernam District Council (MDSB)
1. Abu Talib Bujang
2. Ahzaman Mat Noor
3. Anna Ramasamy Muthan*
4. Azhar Achil*
5. Azman Masri
6. Datuk Baharin @ Abdullah Mat Akhir
7. Dr Osman Sabran*
8. Faiza Samsi*
9. Hamidah Abd Malek
10. Lee Beng San*
11. Lim Choon Kiat
12. Loo Kim Yong
13. Low Tek Lem*
14. Mah Eng Kian
15. Muhamad Jail Ikhsan*
16. Ng Swee Lee
17. Noordin Atan
18. Omar Hashim*
19. Selvodory Subramaniam
20. Sia Chock Sung*
21. Siti Latiffah Binti Maulud
22. Tan Ah Kau
23. Yunus Ismail*
24. Zulkifli Ibrahim

Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj)
1.Adram Musa*
2.Arutchelvan A/l Subramaniams
3.Chan Jeong Hon
4.Chandra Mohan S.Thambirajah
5.Cheong Siow Foon*
6.Datuk Noorhisham Ishak*
7.Datuk Ungku Abdul Rani Shamsuddin
8.Lee Ah Seng
9.Lee Kee Hiong
10.Lee Learn Eng
11.Lim Khey Hoong
12.Mazwan Bin Johar
13.Mohammed Yusoff Bachek
14.Mohd Mohyiddin Bin Mohamed Mesbah
15.Mohd Sany Hamzan*
16.Mohd Shafie Ngah
17.Narayanan Perumal
18.Ng Tien Chee
19.Norsiah Md Nor *
20.Ong Seng Peng
21.Razaly Hassan
22.Samsol Bahari
23.Tan Boon Wah
24.Zulfikar Ali Ariffin*

Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL)
1.Ang Lee Yong*
2.Gan Kai Soon
3.Gunalan Balakrishnan*
4.Hasnul Baharuddin
5.Karunakaran Annavy
6.Lim Kuan Sion*
7.Maniarasan Ramaswary
8.Mesari Jasman*
9.Mohd Ghazali Abdullah*
10.Munusamy Erishin
11.Ng Khee Chong
12.Norazmi Mohamed Tahir
13.Othman Dol
14.Razali Ahmad
15.Rizuan Rahmat
16.Salmah Muhammad
17.Sapariah Sarmidi
18.Shaari Sarkoni*
19.Shamsuddin Kasran
20.Sivapregas Kuppan*
21.Wong Kim Loon
22.Y.A.D Raja Dato' Uzair Tengku Zainon Rashid Shah
23.Yap Lai Keng
24.Yong Keh Chyn

Kuala Selangor District Council (MDKS)
1.Ahmad Alang*
2.Ang Boon Teik
3.Azli bin Idris
4.Dato' Mohamad Yaacob Ismail
5.Jegathesan Subramaniam*
6.Kwi Ai Mei
7.Lakshmanan Subramoniam
8.Lim Piang Nam
9.Low Tan
10.Misran Serman
11.Mohd Faizal Baharuddin
12.Mohd Faizal Mohd Barja*
13.Mohd Fakaruddin Ismail*
14.Navaratna Chandreen Kanagaratnam
15.Nor Az Azlan Ahmad
16.Norfaizah Ismail*
17.Selvandran Pongudian
18.Sharuddin Dahlan
19.Siti Zalaha Abdul Rashid*
20.Tanarashu Krishnan*
21.Tee Peng*
22.Thirumoorthy Peri
23.Yap Kee Thian
24.Zainal Abidin bin Abdul Samad

Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS)
1.Abdul Wahid B. Basri,
2.Arun@Harun Abdullah*
3.Chan Fook Heng*
4.Chan Kok Siew
5.Chandran Subramaniam*
6.Chua Yee Ling
7.Dato' Aman Shah Mohd Shahar
8.Dr G Sukhdev Singh Ranu*
9.Gunasekaran Karpayah*
10.Hamiruddin b. Parman
11.June Leow*
12.Kamaliyah Bien*
13.Law Say Hin
14.Law Suet Peng
15.Look Soo Mooi*
16.Mahyuddin Ismail
17.Mai Mt Zin
18.Mat Rahat Ibrahim*
19.Mohammed Salleh Ri
20.Ong Thiam Hock
21.Rames Ittan*
22.Razali Mokhtar*
23.Sazali Nor Saham*
24.Yong Chan Hee
* new councillors
Star has done a little bit of digging about some of these new Local Councilors... it seems that 'NGO quota' for Petaling Jaya has gone down. 

Well, what do we mean by the 'NGO Quota'? Firstly, these are, I believe, not names that have been chosen democratically by the NGOs, and thereafter submitted to the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government. These are, I believe, persons who have been involved in some NGOs who were picked by the Selangor PR government. Hence, there will no obligation on these 'NGO-councillors' to report back or be accountable to the NGO community as a whole. Same, I believe, with those Professional NGOs - it is not persons that the Profession choses and submits to be appointed as Local Councillors. Same also with the disabled community. Same also... 

One year terms...really too short a term to bring about any real changes...and it ensures that the Local Councillors all tow the line, and do not 'cause trouble' (i.e. have a different point of view about things/practices, etc) - for, if you do - then the Pakatan Rakyat government just drops you, and picks a new Local Councillor. If minutes of Local Council meetings were available to the public (which it should be according to law...and certainly the principle of transparency and accountability - and, of course - freedom of information), then we will be able to see what these different councillors say at these meetings - or whether they really are 'blur' and just sit warming up their seat.  [See also earlier post:- Lack of a Freedom of Information Enactment no justification for not being open, transparent and accountable..]

THE appointment of a candidate from Parti Keadilan Rakyat to fill the seat meant for NGO in the new Petaling Jaya councillors line-up has caused cries of unfairness.

Selangor and Petaling Jaya Utara Keadilan Youth chief Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainuddin, picked for the seat, is among the four new faces.

The 33-year-old trade unionist said he had not received the appointment letter but if given the chance, he would endeavour to ease the financial burden of ratepayers without compromising the sustainable development that Petaling Jaya needed.
New face in PJ: Cheong wants to make PJ Old Town more vibrant.
 
He lives in Shah Alam but has been working in Petaling Jaya for years.

“I may look into ways to reduce taxes and charges imposed by the council since the council had a surplus last year. My hope is to reduce the financial burden of the rakyat,” he said.

The second new appointment, Kandiah Subramaniam was only willing to say that he was a member of Keadilan and refused to comment further as he had not received the appointment letter.

Meanwhile, newcomer Jeyaseelen T. Anthony, 39, said his involvement in the political arena began in school, spurred by his views against the arbitrary use of some laws and the suppression on freedom of speech.

“I feel that the only way to make the necessary changes is to be in politics because you have to work from within,” said the lawyer who specialises in insurance and industrial relations.

The DAP member said he hoped to bring about a safer, better and cleaner environment for the people of Petaling Jaya with the council closely monitoring development to ensure that the city grew sustainably.
Tony Cheong Siew Thong, who is the chairman of Bukit Gasing DAP, has been a resident of Petaling Jaya Old Town for 15 years.

“There have been no changes in my neighbourhood since day one. I hope I can do something to make this place more vibrant,” said the 36-year-old graphic designer.

In Shah Alam, businessman Mohd Ismahadi Ridwan, 47, said that he had not received any official appointment letter from the state but was earlier informed by his party (PAS) leadership that he was one of the candidates being considered for the post.
Raring to go: Noorhisham hopes to fulfil his obligations as a councillor.
 
He said he had not received any calls from the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) or the state and only came to know about the appointment when called by StarMetro.

“It is true that I have been chosen as a councillor in Shah Alam, then I am happy.

“I will give my best service to the people in the city and continue the efforts of the earlier councillors,” said the 47-year-old.

K. Yogasingamany, 51, who was appointed under the non-governmental organisation (NGO) quota, said he was surprised by the appointment.

He said he realised that councillors have a heavy responsibility but he was confident he could serve the city folk meaningfully.

“I aim to give constructive views to the council and am fully committed to serve the people well. I relish the challenge,” said the businessman.


There are 10 new faces in the list of councillors at Ampang Jaya Municipal Council (MPAJ). Among them were several first-timers and unfamiliar names to many. However, they are all very optimistic and excited about serving the community in Ampang.

For Hamsah Djabir, 37, the position would offer him an opportunity to work with youths. He has been living in Ampang since 1996 and was in the advertising industry.

Ng: Surprised by his appointment

He said there were many social problems among youth and the position would help him guide them to the right path.

“In Ampang, some of the problems like irregularity of garbage collection and the traffic woes need to be looked into seriously,” he said.

Another newcomer, Ee Wai Leong, 45 hoped to give back to the Kampung Baru Ampang folk if given a chance.

He said there were many problems such as clogged drains and flood in the area that needed to be addressed.

“I have been part of the Village Development and Security Committee for many years and involved in community work.

“At the moment I am not sure which zone I will be given but I hope to serve the community well,” said the sub-contractor.

In Subang Jaya, Loka Ng Sai Kai expressed surprise about his appointment, but said he had been informed that his name was shortlisted as a potential MPSJ councillor.


“However, I have not received my letter of appointment yet,” said Ng, who was appointed under the NGO quota.

He is presently the Selangor Buddhist Development Committee chairman, advisor to the Young Malaysians Movement and former vice-president of Malaysian Youth Council.

If he were appointed, the Subang Jaya resident of 15 years said he would first familiarise himself with a councillor’s duties.

Hamsah: In Ampang, some of the problems like irregularity of garbage collection and the traffic woes need to be looked into seriously

“I hope to look into issues like the needs of the disabled (OKU) group and land for places of worship for non-Muslims, with reference to the Subang Jaya Draft Local Plan.

“As a parent and resident, I also hope to get a pedestrian bridge built for the pupils of SJK (C) Chee Wen in Subang Jaya,” said Ng.

Edward Ling Sieak Meeng said that he had been verbally informed about his appointment, but had yet to receive any confirmation in black and white.

“I look forward to serving the community in whichever area and MPSJ committee I am appointed to.

“I hope to sit in on the MPSJ’s IT Committee, as that is my background,” said Ling, who is Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh’s political secretary.

He said councillors appointed under the DAP quota would be placed in different committees to ensure check and balance, and there would be no conflict of interest from having one councillor sit on two committees, for instance Audit and Finance.


On the Residents Committee (JKP), Ling said he had heard that the councillors would play a more advisory role rather than that of the JKP chairman.

Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng’s lawyer Tan Pok Shyong was the only DAP representative among seven new names announced as councillors for Selayang effective yesterday.

Ling: Political secretary to Hannah Yeoh

The 34-year-old Tan found out about his appointment when journalists from the Chinese press informed him on Tuesday night.

“I know Selayang has many problems and it shall be my responsibility to see to it that these problems are solved.

“Having been practising law for nine years, I know that it will be an uphill task and I am ready to take the challenge,” he said.

Besides Tan, the six other new faces are Abdul Majid Hasan and Lee Sew Hong from Pakatan Rakyat, Husnal Azahari Sanusi and Zaidy Abu Talib for the PAS quota and Low Hock Kheng representing the NGO segment.

Meanwhile, Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) public relations officer Mohd Zin Masoad expressed the council’s unhappiness over not being sent the list after the public announcement.

“The list is supposed to be given to the council today as the councillors’ appointment is effective today.

“Until now (yesterday noon), we still have not received the list although others knew about the appointments even before us.


“The state should pass us the list and then inform the public. We are in the dark over the new appointments,” he said.

Seven names were dropped out from the suggested list of councillors.

In Sepang, two-term Hulu Selangor District councillor Santokh Singh was in for a surprise as he had been named as a councillor at the Sepang Municipal Council (MPSp).

“I take this as a promotion. However, the job of a councillor is the same wherever you are,” said the 46-year-old production engineer.

He said he would now have more time to spend on the ground as it would be a shorter distance travelling from Klang, where he lives, to Sepang than to Kuala Kubu Baru to attend the district council meetings.

He has also been appointed as DAP whip in Sepang but assured that the extra reponsibilities would not hinder his councillor duties.

He does not foresee a different set of problems in Sepang as it is geographically rural, similar to Kuala Kubu Baru.

Meanwhile, Sivakumar Periasamy was caught completely unaware by the appointment.

“I did not hear anything about it,” said the 32-year-old MAS customer service staff, stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.


He said that as a local boy, he knew what was expected of him and the issues that needed to be resolved.

He said, however, it was important for councillors to get the support of the Federal Government.

“Our resources and powers are limited although there is so much that needs to be done. However, I will try to do my best with the duties entrusted to me,” he said.

Other new councillors were Hajarah Abu Samat, Maanor Yusoff, Mashadi Saein, Mohamad Azif Mohamad Aris, Rajalingam Ramayah and Teo Lian Sang.

There will be six new councillors for Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).

Cheong Siow Foon (DAP), 34, said that although he lived in Bandar Sg Long, he was familiar with Balakong as he had aided the previous councillor Tan Han Kuo in that area.

“I will volunteer to serve the zone in Taman Taming Jaya, Balakong during the meeting with councillors as it is a problematic area.

“There are poor people living here and many factories in the industrial site. I have noticed that there are rubbish and security problems there. I did some research and have thought of some new ideas to solve the problems,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Sany Hamzan (PAS) said he was honoured to be entrusted with the responsibility as a councillor.

“Being a full-time politician, I am used to meeting the people. I hope to help the council monitor issues like traffic, businesses and cleanliness in Kajang,” said the 33-year-old.- Star, 8/7/2010, New councillors ready to take up the challenge

See earlier posts:

MBPJ - A sad reflection of Pakatan Rakyat, No Transparency, Accountability, Not Pro-People - Am I wasting my time?

 MBPJ - More proposals for reform & wondering the reason for not implementing simple reforms already suggested..

MBPJ meeting are open to the public - but people do not know this, or when, or what is on the agenda....

Meeting of Local Council (MBPJ, etc) should be open to the public...

Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya - No changes because Mayor and staff following 'old policies and old ways...' of BN - so, not Pakatan's fault

Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya - Where is the transparency and accountability?

MBPJ is still not transparent, accountable and giving effect to Reformasi, 'People Power'...Makkal Sakti, Kuasa Rakyat..

 

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