Penang gov't gets more flak over appointments

Penang gov't gets more flak over appointments

The Penang government’s appointment of 36 councillors has been criticised by 55 civil society groups, who described the candidates as “politically-partisan” people without a strong track-record as community leaders.

The Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) - whose secretariat is helmed by human rights group Suaram - told a press conference in Petaling Jaya today that the April 16 appointments were “undemocratic, lack public consultations and were non-transparent”.

“Among the small contingent of seven non-partisan representatives, the over-representation of five members of commercial interests and two members of vis-a-vis non-commercial non-governmental organisations is completely unacceptable,” said Suaram executive director Yap Swee Seng, reading from a joint statement.

“There’s also no clear policy on how they made the appointments and decisions. We urge the state governments of Selangor, Perak and Kedah not to follow the example of Penang.”

The Pakatan Rakyat state government has been harping on its intention to ensure competence, accountability and transparency in its administration ever since it took over Penang after the 12th general election.

In the days following their electoral victory, DAP parliamentarians in Kuala Lumpur had pledged their commitment to bringing back local council elections, which had been suspended in 1964.

The Penang government’s decision had earlier come under fire from NGOs in the state.

Yap pointed out that the Penang appointments did not meet “the principles, criteria and processes of political appointment”, as set out in the CGG’s memorandum of March 28.

The guidelines were drawn up as an interim measure pending the promised revival of local council elections - a key plank of the opposition campaign during the elections.