The Penang Government is under fire for being "incompetent, inefficient and lagging behind in knowledge of information technology" over its handling of the controversial ' double appointment ' of Seberang Perai municipal council (MPSP) president.

Bagan member of Parliament and Penang DAP vice-chairman Lim Hock Seng said the controversy had made a mockery of the government administration, while prominent trade unionist Abdul Razak Hamid said the whole affair has been detrimental to ratepayers.

The saga started when the state deputy secretary (development) Md Aris Ariffin ( left ) was sworn in as MPSP president at 10am on March 12.

At 3pm that day, Seberang Perai Utara district officer Abdul Ghani Ariffin received a faxed letter from Public Service Department, appointing him to the same post.

Abdul Ghani, whose letter was signed by PSD deputy director-general Datuk Wahab Mulajaat, was to have assumed duty on Friday.

In a rare show of power, Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon rejected Abdul Ghani's appointment.

Even after Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak was quoted in the Press as saying that it was within PSD's powers to appoint the MPSP president, Koh remained defiant that Md Aris would carry out the duties of the council president.

Clearly upset, Koh rejected Ghani's appointment saying that PSD has not followed the procedures stipulated under Section 10 of the Local Government Act 1976.

Explanation required

However, Koh's show of strength has not gone down well with critics.

Lim said Koh ( photo ) owed ratepayers an explanation as to why he has rejected Abdul Ghani's appointment, when he claimed that Md Aris was only a temporary president.

"It has been an embarrassing week for Koh and company. What is the Chief Minister trying to do...demonstrate that he is a chief minister with power?" Lim asked.

"Koh will only strengthen public perception that he is really a 'chief minister without power' by showing off his ego."

Malaysian Trade Union Congress Penang chairperson Abdul Razak said the controversy exposed the communications breakdown among government departments, which should not happen in an era of information technology.

He also questioned the contradictory statements of the Penang government over the matter.

When Md Aris was sworn in, local government committee chairperson Dr Teng Hock Nan had described this as a permanent appointment.

A day later, Koh had said Md Aris was only a temporary president until the state executive council appoints someone on permanent basis.

"Now which is which? The state government should not embarrass both the senior government officers," Abdul Razak said.

Bukit Bendera MIC division treasurer L Balasupramaniyam described Koh's rejection of Abdul Ghani's appointment as a failure to understand the importance of information technology.

"Instead of questioning the authenticity of Ghani's letter, Koh could have easily resolved the controversial issue by contacting PSD," he said.

"Faxing and e-mailing directives to civil servants has become a common mode of instruction today."

Real losers

The position of MPSP president was left vacant for almost a month when former president Ismail Mamat retired on March 17. Abdul Ghani was then tipped as the likely replacement.

However, when PSD failed to submit its nomination of Abdul Ghani ( photo ), the state government appointed Md Aris until further notice.

As Koh and PSD muscle it out, said Abdul Razak, ratepayers will be the real losers in this "battle of egos".

"Ratepayers are watching in dismay as Koh and company demonstrate their incompetence in resolving a straightforward issue," he added.

"Both Koh's administration and PSD should acknowledge their mistakes and resolve the issue amicably."

A Veeranggan is malaysiakini 's Penang-based stringer.