The sudden resignation of Petaling Jaya Mayor Termizi Puteh after just two months into the job will make no difference to concerned residents in the All PJ Pro Action Committee (Appac) who intend to pursue their plans to ensure that the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) is transparent and accountable for its policies.

Appac President Edward Lee said today although Appac 'noted with regret that the mayor's term has ended, the coalition of 47 residents association was not likely to desist in its demand that the council, which just attained city status in June, open up their accounts and review its hike in assessment rates.

Ahmad Termizi Puteh ( pix ) clocked in for the last time yesterday as MBPJ mayor, after months of the local authority being dogged by media reports of alleged corruption and mismanagement. Selangor Mentri Besar Khir Toyo is expected to announce the city's new mayor by tomorrow.

"We knew he was supposed to go at least by end of August," said Lee when contacted by malaysiakini . "We didn't expect it this soon."

Lee said Appac's efforts over the past few months were not an affront to the state government. "The right of the rate payers to know what we are paying for and how it is utilised has nothing to do with personalities. It is not an affront to the state government," he said.

He added there was still a lack of a proper system of governance under the Local Government Act which allows local authorities to be free from liability.

"I feel sad he (Termizi) has not been able to achieve anything substantial for the people. Maybe the time was not enough," said Lee further.

Meeting held

After a pre-budget announcement at the end of last year, Termizi unilaterally gave approval for an across-the-board 10 percent increase in assessment rates for PJ's half-a-million residents. Residents associations protested the increase demanding that the council justify the hike.

MBPJ has also been repeatedly accused of corrupt practices, including questionable billboard concession awards and the siphoning of the 'donations for billboard approvals' to its sports and culture club.

English daily The Star had published a front-paged report early July in which the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah openly admonished the mayor for keeping silent on the residents' grouses.

Prior to his mayoral appointment, Termizi served 22 months as the then Petaling Jaya Municipal Council (MPPJ) president.

Lee ( pix, left ) said Appac held a meeting last night to decide on the next course of action involving allegations of corruption in MPBJ's billboard licence approvals.

Lee said a report may be lodged but declined to comment further.

"We will still go ahead with our other plan. We will stop the protest against the assessment rates increase only if MBPJ relents and opens up their accounts," he said.

News of the Appac's hike protest has received coverage in both the Chinese and English press.