Councillor asked to explain action

From The Star Metro

COUNCILLOR Keshminder Singh, who had questioned the presence of Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh at the Subang Jaya Municipal Council’s (MPSJ) full board on Thursday will have to submit a written explanation.

State Local Government Committee chairman Ronnie Liu, who described the incident as uncalled for, said this was necessary to prevent such incidents repeating in the future.

Saying Yeoh had every right to be at the full board meeting, Liu said PKR’s Keshminder would be asked to explain his action.

He said he spoke to Keshminder on Thursday and felt that it was only fair that a written explanation was obtained from him.

“I have been hearing several versions of the story and that is why the written explanation is important before we decide on the next course of action,” he told StarMetro

As the people’s elected representative, Liu said, the Subang Jaya assemblyman was only doing her job, by being at the council meeting.

Furthermore, he said, findings also revealed that she had obtained the permission of the MPSJ president to be there.

Meanwhile, several DAP councillors of the MPSJ have submitted a petition declaring their dissatisfaction over Keshminder’s objection to the attendance of Yeoh.

Eight DAP councillors submitted their signatures to the MPSJ president Datuk Adnan Md Ikshan yesterday at the council to voice their displeasure over the remark Keshminder made.

Under the Local Government Act, there is a clause that states that state assemblymen and even MPs can attend full board meetings as observers.

Also present at the petition handing over in MPSJ were Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo-Burne, Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah, Kampung Tunku assemblyman Lau Weng San and Yeoh.

Councillor Tan Jo Hann, who was quoted earlier as concurring to Keshminder’s remark, clarified his statement.

“I agree with Keshminder in principle that not anyone can sit at the council’s table, but in this case, the YDP and Hannah have given sufficient explanation about the technical part.

“So it’s definitely a non-issue,’’ said Tan.

Yeoh, in her blog, said she had not occupied any councillor’s seat and was only sitting at the end of the table on an extra chair.

“I did not speak at all (as an observer) and was only at the table to use the plug point, with no intention of pushing my way through as an assemblyman,

“This incident would not affect me and I will continue to be present in future full board meetings,” said Yeoh.