Maverick Penang DAP assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu ruffled feathers among his own comrades holding state executive councillor posts when he gave them marks for their performances.

 

The Tanjung Bungah representative gave the highest score (74 points) to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (DAP-Air Putih) and the lowest (47) to state exco on caring society, environment and welfare, Phee Boon Pooh.

 

Lim heads the state executive council on land matters, land development, information, heritage and non-Islamic religious affairs.

 

The other 9 state excos received between 55 to 72 marks.

 

Teh admitted that his survey was “subjective and not official” and was based on his individual observation of their actual performance.

 

“I do not deny that this may have a personal impact on those evaluated. We are merely human beings. The survey is based on my point of view,” Teh told reporters when met at the Penang legislative assembly today.

 

“I am more concerned about environment, so I may have made strong comments on the performance of that portfolio. I may not view another exco so strongly,” he revealed.

 

Teh is often described as the “Green YB’ and he even went bald when Bukit Gambier, popularly known as ‘Botak Hill’, was affected by illegal hill clearing.  

 

The state government has been criticised for hillslope development, approvals for high-rise buildings and reclamation projects.

 

Teh said the idea of evaluating the performance of the state excos was based on DAP’s internal committee that monitors government spending, adding that he was merely continuing the job of that committee.

 

When asked about Teh’s evaluation, Phee (DAP-Sungai Puyu) shot back “Who is he? He should do his homework first”.

 

Phee ( photo ) explained that several issues brought up by Teh were not under his jurisdiction.

 

“Teh can raise the issues in the relevant committees where he is a member. But he hardly attends the meetings, He also did not come to my office to raise his issues,” Phee claimed.

 

Asked to comment on Phee’s remark, Teh admitted that he was a “nobody”, and had not attended some meetings where he could have raised his concerns on environmental issues.

 

But as a backbencher, Teh said he should be allowed to be a check and balance to ensure there is separation of powers between the party and state government.

 

“If anyone is not happy with my views, they can prove me wrong. If I am wrong, I will apologise,” he offered.

 

Evaluation welcomed

Meanwhile, state exco on local government Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Padang Kota) welcomed Teh’s effort to evaluate the performances of the state excos, saying it was in the best interests of transparency and accountability.

 

Chow ( photo ), who received 67 marks, said Teh had expressed his views in a democratic manner to encourage debate in the state assembly.

 

“It is a creative way to stimulate debate as it is interesting but giving points to state excos makes them nervous.

 

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, we should accept that this is one of the ways in which state reps can express themselves,” said Chow, who is also state DAP chief.

 

On whether the state government would initiate such a performance evaluation system for its departments, Chow said he had yet to look into the matter.

 

Chow was tasked to look into the evaluating of state excos when the matter was raised in one of DAP’s state conventions. 

 

State exco on housing Jagdeep Singh Deo (DAP-Dato Keramat), said he was open to constructive criticism, especially from his own party members.

 

“For the housing portfolio, I am surprised that I got 61 marks, I thought I would get only get 20,” Jagdeep said, laughing.

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