Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim will arrange to meet with Pakatan Rakyat ally Party Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) to listen to their concerns over the recent reduction in local councillor seats allocated to the party.

NONE "I know they used to have three seats before this, but there were recommendations they were to be given only two. I understand their concerns and I will meet with them to hear their views and explain the matter to them.

Quizzed about who made the recommendations, Khalid ( right ) said that this was the decision of the Pakatan committee which oversaw the selection process for local councillors.

Khalid said this in a press conference at the Dewan Jubli Perak in Shah Alam after presenting appointment letters to the newly appointed Selangor municipal and city councillors for the 2010/2011 term.

"I am only following their decision, I will explain this to PSM," added the PKR leader.

psm dr nasir hashim uncensored 010808 05 Asked when he will meet them, the MB said he would do so at the earliest possible time.

Parti Socialis Malaysia chairman Mohd Nasir Hashim ( left ) last Sunday urged the Selangor MB to review the dropping of one of its party's councillors from the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), reminding him of the agreement made in 2008.

"Right after the 2008 election, we were promised three councillor seats. We are disappointed now with the fact that our candidate has been dropped without any reason and consultation," said Mohd Nasir.

Previously the party was allocated three local councillors, two in MBPJ and one in the Kajang Municipal Council (MBKj).

NGO seats not threatened

In a related matter, Khalid also rubbished rumours that local council seats reserved for NGOs were being bartered away to members of Pakatan components.

"I know there are rumours that NGO seats were being filled by party members, but this is not true. Those who fill the seats may be members of political parties, but they are also active in NGOs and are active local leaders. As such they can serve as councillors on behalf of NGOs.

"We do not restrict party members from being active in NGOs." explained Khalid.