The state government has been urged to appoint Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) secretary Patahiyah Ismail as acting president.

Former state local government committee chairman and council president Datuk Dr Teng Hock Nan said Patahiyah should have been appointed MPPP acting president and not a council member to discharge the duties of a president.

“If the Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng believes that Patahiyah can discharge the duties of a president, then he should appoint her as acting president and not a council member,” he told reporters here.

However, Teng who is also the state Gerakan chairman said according to the Local Government Act, the state executive council is authorised to only appoint a council president and a maximum of 24 municipal councillors.

He said he did not protest Patahiyah’s appointment and understand that Patahiyah can also chair MPPP full meetings but it could lead to legal issues.

“If Patahiyah is sworn in, she would be the 25th municipal councillor and this itself is ultra vires the act,” he said, commenting on Patahiyah’s appointment which was approved by the state executive council on November.

Meanwhile, Teng also denied Lim’s allegation that he protested Patahiyah’s appointment as council member to discharge the duties of a president because of gender.

“I did not protest Patahiyah’s appointment. I understand that Patahiyah can also chair MPPP full meetings and this can lead to legal issues,” he said.

Last year, Patahiyah took over as MPPP secretary in June after Sr. Tan Cheng Chui was appointed MPPP president.

On November 24, Patahiyah took an oath to assume the duties of council president as after current head Sr. Tan Cheng Chui started his 63-day leave.

by Editorial Desk
gerakan4u.com