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Johari Kassim sacked for leading council boycott

Posted by admin

Tuesday, 30 June 2009 10:07

(The Star) - GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state executive council has sacked municipal councillor Johari Kassim, the controversial Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) whip who led a boycott of the swearing-in ceremony of council president Mokhtar Mohd Jait.

State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said the state executive council unanimously agreed to revoke his appointment under Section 10 (4) of the Local Government Act 1976 during its weekly meeting last Friday.

“Under this section, a municipal councillor’s position may be declared vacant under one of three conditions – he is resigning on his own accord, he is facing a conflict of interest or his nomination is nullified by the state administration,” Chow said.

He added that the state revoked Johari’s position as MPSP councillor under the third condition, and the law did not have provisions for Johari to appeal against the decision.

“The revocation took effect on June 26 and the State Secretary (Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman) will issue an official letter to Johari today (yesterday).

“We believe this action is a stern warning by the state government to other MPSP councillors who followed him (in the boycott),” Chow told reporters after launching a new phase of bilingual road signs here yesterday.

On June 4, Johari of PKR led eight MPSP councillors from his party in boycotting the swearing-in ceremony of former North Seberang Prai district officer Mokhtar as council head over claims that the position had been reserved for a PKR member.

Asked if the state was planning further action against the other PKR municipal councillors, Chow said the warning was “good enough”.

Asked whether PKR leaders had been consulted on the disciplinary action, he said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had discussed it with Penang PKR chairman Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim.

When contacted, Johari appeared calm over the revelation but said he was unaware of it.

“I am not aware of it. I had a meeting with Zahrain on Saturday and he did not mention it.

“Anyway, I was appointed by PKR to be a councillor, not DAP or the state,” he said.

In an immediate response, Chow said that if that was the case, Johari should try to “ask PKR to reappoint him”.

Comments (13) Add Comment

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written by Jan, June 30, 2009 10:19:24

You can bet your sweet behind BN is going to use this issue as cannon folder for their ceramahs. And their banners will read "Chinese CM sack Malay councillor"

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written by Kampong, June 30, 2009 10:32:19

What a contrast between Lim and the timid Koh. Hats up to you, Lim Guan Eng.

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written by Krepot, June 30, 2009 10:35:14

The UMNO culture still runs in these buggers!
Get rid of them!

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written by rocky, June 30, 2009 10:41:27

well done LGE. There are ways to do things and PR people should know there is no such thing as entitlement.do not demand for seats and titles. work hard and you will be rewarded based on good results. do not ask for something even before you have started to work

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written by Goodbites, June 30, 2009 10:43:38

Zulkifli Nordin, better watch out. You are next.

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written by DezMalaysia, June 30, 2009 10:53:42

Those ex-UMNO goons will forever act the same way (fighting for a position to grab lobangs) no matter what colors they changed to !

Malaysians voted PR in because we want a clean, transparent government & always do the right thing. Not the UMNO way of sharing a pie !
"Rakyat's money is not a PIE or a Cake to share !"

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written by macakmy, June 30, 2009 11:16:05

Good riddance. PKR, sort yourself out. No more of these "frustrated UMNO" creed. We are getting tired.

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written by ceong2000, June 30, 2009 11:18:43

This show that PR government is not a favouritism to any PR group so better wake up as you can be remove anytime if you are not performed.Don't take for grant that you are the PR party people and nobody can remove you.PR will chose those who can really work and remember that corruption is out of question.

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written by Susanna, June 30, 2009 11:24:50

Those ex UMNO still behaving like UMNO are good riddance. Better weed out all those bad hats trouble makers in the PKR.

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written by 1351, June 30, 2009 11:31:46

Well done Penang exco. There is no other way but to have heads roll in this matter, and let this be an example to other bad seeds waiting to turn.

The people of Penang have spoken with Gerakan losing their stronghold and as reward, administrators in current state govt must serve the needs of the people as best they can. Already, levels of corruption has been reduced significantly (no more direct nego shit, hefty markups because of the 'Tuan' factor, kickbacks and what not).

People of Penang are no fools. They knew they would lose hundreds of million in Federal funding if BN were to lose the island state and yet they voted for change. Despite the pain, the only way to secure better prospects for coming generations was to bite the bullet and so, the people have spoken.

I believe levels of FDI into the Pearl of the Orient did not trickle off but saw a steady increase. As a confidence booster, that figure is a crucial number that determines the future of Penang. Though far short in replacing/making up the short fall from Federal funding withdrawn, the tax dollars generated from investments must be put to work efficiently. On thing for sure, the slimy hands of UMNO/BN cronies are now off the table while current administrators get on with the business of governing the state with as best they can and with no interference.

Cheers all
Casper

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written by mikewang, June 30, 2009 11:51:36

Actually the state government is poorer than MPPP and MPSP put together for the simple reason that quit rent collection is a lot less than the collection of assessment.

There is no other significant source of revenue for the state except land which is already over 90% private owned.
Out of the remain 10% of land which can be developed, 5% are road or federal reserves.
That's the key reason why many Penangites were so fed up with Dr Koh who surrendered the land portfolio to UMNO.
The "High Chapparal" is a result of such policy.

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written by densemy, June 30, 2009 12:28:43

These men are supposed to be community leaders, instead they behave like selfish spiteful children

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written by devious17, June 30, 2009 14:17:34

cant you PKR fellas behave the part and not act like those in umno/bn? Buat malu jee

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