The MCA has taken the Penang government to task for the appointment of a municipal councillor that the party claimed did not follow procedures.

NONE In referring to the appointment of Nur Fitriah Abdul Halim as DAP’s sole woman councillor in the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP), state MCA secretary Lau Chiek Tuan ( left ) described the situation as "transparency and accountability-dead in Penang".

Lau accused Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng of taking a "high-handed approach" in how he runs the state, adding that the DAP secretary-general is starting to behave like a "dictator".

"The extraordinary appointment of Nur Fitriah has caused people to be dumbfounded.

"The claim that the appointment of councillors in the MPPP is the sole prerogative of the chief minister is a shot in the foot for DAP," Lau said in a statement.

He said that the decision to appoint Nur Fitriah as the sole woman councillor despite the fact she was not nominated by any party division, or even attended any interview, runs contrary to Lim’s claim of transparency.

Yesterday, state executive councillor on local government Chow Kon Yeow confirmed Nur Fitriah's appointment , adding she was given the post to fill both the Malay and gender quotas.

NONE Chow ( right ) had urged those not satisfied with the appointment to recommend others who are qualified, if they knew of any.

He added that the appointment was the prerogative of the CM, while the latter said he has yet to receive an official report by those who were allegedly dissatisfied with the appointment.

Importance of councillors

However, Lau said councillors are important and are appointed to solve the daily problems of the people.

By giving Lim the "special prerogative" to appoint anyone he likes, whether or not he or she is suitable and qualified makes it seem that DAP does not place much importance on the position of MPPP councillors, Lau said.

He added the prerogative of the chief minister to appoint councillors also allows him to skip the normal selection process whereby councillors are nominated by DAP divisions.

dap special meeting 110313 lim guan eng "The lack of Malays among DAP Penang’s assemblyperson cannot be denied, and is the subject of much criticism.

"Thus, in order to appease the unhappiness of the Malays in Penang, Lim, has decided to use his powers to appoint a political candidate to appear multiracial.

"This shows he is willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of the people simply so that he can avoid any racial controversy," he stressed.

Lau said this seemed to be the real reason why Lim is hesitant and unwilling to explain the selection process for councillors, and is only giving the vague answer that he has the right to do so.

Lim, Lau claimed, seemed to think Penangites were "easily fooled by his lies and dictatorship".

"His decision to fulfill the Malay quota by abusing his special prerogative is unfair and full of prejudice.

"This shows that transparency no longer exists in Penang under the DAP state government," he quipped.

At the time of publication, Nur Fitriah is not available for comments.