The Star, Tuesday December 24, 2013
Unanimous
agreement: MPKj councillors showing their support for the motion of no
confidence against the MPKj administration. — filepic
THE year 2013 has been a rough one for the Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj).
A dispute between the administration and its councillors in August resulted in the latter boycotting the fullboard meetings for months.
The 23 councillors unanimously tabled a vote of no confidence against the council’s president, Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman and wanted the matter brought to the state government’s attention.
Speaking on behalf of the other councillors, Muhmad Hamidi Mohd Nazir cited the council’s “weak administration, mismanagement and bad practices” as the reason for the walkout.
Pending investigations, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim acted as the temporary approving authority for all municipal-related issues such as budgets and planning approval.
Residents association leaders expressed concern if the council could function effectively, given the dispute.
In October, the second fullboard meeting since the initial boycott was held.
Councillors were asked to withdraw their previous motion of no confidence and resume duties, according to instructions from Khalid relayed through Selangor Local Government and Research Committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim.
However, the councillors again walked out of the meeting, after failing to table a motion to remove Hasan as council president.
Hasan had disallowed the motion as he said only the state government had the power to remove him.
As the year ends, efforts to mediate between the two parties seem to have borne fruit.
When contacted recently, MPKj councillor Bryan Lai said the councillors have met with the president and sent a letter to the MB with suggestions on how to work better with the MPKj administration.
The councillors will resume duties and attend the upcoming fullboard meeting.
However, new councillors are expected to be appointed as the term of current councillors expires on Dec 31.
As to whether this will improve the relationship between the councillors and the council remains to be seen.
When asked if the councillors still wanted to remove Hasan as president, Lai said it was not their intention to do so.
“We do not have the power to remove him as we are all appointed by the state government.
“We have achieved what we set out to do, which is to bring the state government’s attention to our plight,” said Lai.
It is hoped that in 2014, the councillors and council will be able to sort out their differences for the betterment of the community.
A dispute between the administration and its councillors in August resulted in the latter boycotting the fullboard meetings for months.
The 23 councillors unanimously tabled a vote of no confidence against the council’s president, Datuk Hasan Nawawi Abd Rahman and wanted the matter brought to the state government’s attention.
Speaking on behalf of the other councillors, Muhmad Hamidi Mohd Nazir cited the council’s “weak administration, mismanagement and bad practices” as the reason for the walkout.
Pending investigations, Selangor Mentri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim acted as the temporary approving authority for all municipal-related issues such as budgets and planning approval.
Residents association leaders expressed concern if the council could function effectively, given the dispute.
In October, the second fullboard meeting since the initial boycott was held.
Councillors were asked to withdraw their previous motion of no confidence and resume duties, according to instructions from Khalid relayed through Selangor Local Government and Research Committee chairman Datuk Teng Chang Khim.
However, the councillors again walked out of the meeting, after failing to table a motion to remove Hasan as council president.
Hasan had disallowed the motion as he said only the state government had the power to remove him.
As the year ends, efforts to mediate between the two parties seem to have borne fruit.
When contacted recently, MPKj councillor Bryan Lai said the councillors have met with the president and sent a letter to the MB with suggestions on how to work better with the MPKj administration.
The councillors will resume duties and attend the upcoming fullboard meeting.
However, new councillors are expected to be appointed as the term of current councillors expires on Dec 31.
As to whether this will improve the relationship between the councillors and the council remains to be seen.
When asked if the councillors still wanted to remove Hasan as president, Lai said it was not their intention to do so.
“We do not have the power to remove him as we are all appointed by the state government.
“We have achieved what we set out to do, which is to bring the state government’s attention to our plight,” said Lai.
It is hoped that in 2014, the councillors and council will be able to sort out their differences for the betterment of the community.
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