Sarawak's sole opposition parliamentarian Chong Chieng Jen wants Kuching City South Mayor Chan Seng Khai to release the names of the council's 'project kings'.

The DAP leader (right), who went to the mayor's office yesterday to request a list on how many councillors or their close relatives were awarded council projects over the past 10 years, had to return empty handed.

"If (international trade and industry minister) Rafidah (Aziz) can disclose the list of AP (Approved Permit) holders and AP kings, why can't Chan disclose the 'project kings'?" he asked.

Chan, who was said to be in a meeting when Chong went to his office, had issued a statement earlier denying that there is such a list.

The DAP leader was instead entertained by the council's public relations officer Lilian Liew.

She allegedly told the MP that she had been instructed not to release any engineering plans that he wanted in order to put across a request to federal authorities for funds to carry out drainage works to solve flood problems in Kuching.

Bold statement

Chong said the mayor, who is also Barisan Nasional state assemblyperson for Batu Lintang, had made a bold public statement that there was no corruption in the council.

"Chan should not refuse to produce the list of councilors or their close relatives involved, in person or as directors of companies, in council projects for the past 10 years, either as contractors or consultants, their names and the respective quantum involved.

"All those involved in the field of construction, landscaping and the related industries in Kuching know that some of the councilors have personal interests in the projects awarded by the council.

"As mayor, Chan is surely aware of the number of projects awarded to councilors, their immediate relatives or companies where such persons play the controlling role whether as contractors of the project or as consultants," he added.

Disprove Kayveas' claim

Chong gave three reasons why such a list should be revealed: to cultivate a culture of transparency in government administration, to make the council fully accountable to the public on its spending of public funds and that Kuching City South comes within his parliamentary constituency.

He said when councilors start having a personal interest in council projects there is always the danger of a conflict of interest which will invariably cloud one's decision.

"Councilors are appointed by the ruling parties to hold such office in the council. The purpose of appointing councilors is to serve the people, not to give them opportunities to make a profit out of it.

"If the mayor is so confident that there is no impropriety, why would he be so afraid of disclosing the list of names," he added.

On the contrary, he said the disclosure will serve to clear the council's name.

"This is an opportunity for him to disprove the allegation of M. Kayveas (Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department) that councils are the most corrupt agencies in the government," he added.