The appointment of DAP's sole woman councillor in the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has run into flak, with allegations that the party did not nominate her but that she was given the post regardless.

NONE Local government state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow (left in photo) confirmed that Nur Fitriah Abdul Halim had neither been nominated by a division nor had she attended any interview for the post.

"The appointment of local councillors is the state (government’s) and chief minister's prerogative," said Chow, who is also DAP state chief.

He was speaking at a press conference after witnessing the swearing-in of 22 councillors at City Hall today.

Chow also noted that, since Zulkifli Mohd Noor has been dropped as a councillor, Nur Fitriah could fill the post for both the Malay and gender quotas.

He urged those who are not satisfied with the appointment to recommend others, if any, for the council's consideration.

On the appointment of two more councillors to fill the PKR and NGO quotas, Chow said the state exco has yet to do so.

"We did not have an exco meeting. last week, so we will only do that at the next meeting (on Friday). The duo will then be sworn in before MPPP president Patahiyah Ismail," he added.

NONE When questioned, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (left) said the claim that party members are dissatisfied with Nur Fitriah’s appointment remains mere "speculation", as he has not received any official complaint.

"The decision to appoint councillors is a state decision. The allegations were part of a news report, and we will not interfere with press freedom," he said briefly before leaving for the airport.

Asked if this has breached the DAP’s selection procedure and how he intends to address related problems, he said: “Don't react to speculation. Reacting to speculation will only serve the purposes of certain quarters.”

The 22 councillors who have been sworn are:

DAP:

- Tan Hun Wooi, 43, auditor

- Harvindar Darshan Singh, 51, company director

- Ong Ah Teong, 43, special assistant to Dato Keramat assemblyperson Jagdeep Singh Deo

- Tay Leong Seng, 58, sales executive

- Gooi Seong Kin, 51, communications officer

- Sukumar Subramaniam, 42, officer

- Joseph Ng Soon Siang, 34, company director

- Tan Kim Hooi, 43, company director

- Lee Chun Kit, 31, executive officer

- Nur Fitriah Abdul Halim, 26, graphic artist

PKR:

- Francis Joseph, 63, unit trust consultant

- Muhammad Sabri Md Osman

- Ahmad Azrizal Tahir, 36, special assistant to Batu Maung assemblyperson Abdul Malik Kassim

- Murali Ramakrishnan, 40, lawyer

- Tan Chiew Choon, 42, marketing manager

- Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik, 58, marketing director

- Lim Boon Beng, 39, lawyer

- (One more post vacant)

PAS:

- Iszuree Ibrahim, 46, company director

- Abdul Halim Salleh, 56, officer

NGOs:

- Lim Mah Hui, 66, senior fellow

- Sin Kok Siang, 32, company director

- Aidi akhbal Mohd Zainon, 33, businessman

- (One more post vacant)