MB: System lets law-breakers be councillors
Terence Fernandez and Maria J. Dass

SHAH ALAM (Oct 18, 2006): There is nothing prohibiting law-breakers from becoming councillors and the political system allows undesirables to creep in because of the positions they hold in the party.

This frank admission came from Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo in the wake of reports concerning Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zainal@Zakaria Mat Deros, who built his palatial mansion without planning permission and had not been paying the annual assessment for his exisiting house for 12 years.

In a press conference after the state executive council today afternoon, Mohd Khir said: "In the regulations, it does not say that people who break the law cannot be appointed as councillors. We appoint councillors according to party positions. This is decided by the party, so anything concerning the party, we will refer back to the party management committee.

"I will follow orders which state that the appointment of councillors should be according to party positions."

Zakaria's daughter-in-law is slated to serve a second term and his son is to be appointed councillor.

However, the swearing-in of councillors scheduled for today has been postponed due to, according to Mohd Khir, "possible problems in the list".

After meeting with the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) president Abd Bakir Zin this morning, Mohd Khir headed for Putrajaya for another round of meetings. Before breaking fast, the news was already out - the swearing-in will be postponed until after Hari Raya next week.

Officially, Mohd Khir maintained that "the municipal council president is empowered to postpone any meeting" and Abd Bakir's response was equally officious - one sentence re-affrming what theSun reported today - postponement of the ceremony.

Which leaves us with the inevitable question: Why?

While Mohd Khir was evasive, the postponement is said to be linked to Zakaria who is said to have caused embarrassment to the Barisan Nasional leadership by his acts and omission.

Under the law, Mohd Khir said, Zakaria can only be fined 10 times the submission fee of RM2,400, to which our journalist retorted: "Bilik mandi dia pun lebih mahal!" (His bathroom is more expensive!)

Mohd Khir offered a cynical smile before saying that the law only allowed for such penalties and any other action against Zakaria will depend on the party leadership.

As for defaulting on assessment, Mohd Khir pointed the finger at the council. MPK, he said should take appropriate action and had a few hard words too.

Local authorities, he said, should enforce the law uniformly and take care of the welfare of the people and not a select few. Is anyone listening?