SHAH ALAM, 4 Apr: The Selangor Government will take heed of the delay in paying for two paintings by National Laureate, Tan Sri A Samad Said or better known as Pak Samad.
The Executive Councillor for Welfare, Rodziah Ismail, who is responsible for handling the Guest Laureate Award Ceremony, explained that she has instructed the Selangor State Malay Customs and Heritage Corporation (PADAT) to pay the National Laureate after receiving feedback dated 29 January 2013.
Rodziah, who was also the Executive Councillor in charge of Culture at the time, informed that she did not know why the payment has not been made because discussions concerning the price and payment for the paintings were directly handled by PADAT and she also asked for the payment to be made via a cautionary note dated 31 January 2013.
She said that the State Government had agreed with the price asked by the National Laureate and is willing to make payment, in addition to saying that PADAT officers can be contacted for any transactions.
“There is no inefficiency happening here and as the individual who came up with the programme, despite not being directly involved, I am linked to this issue. I take responsibility in resolving this issue as soon as possible.
“I have spoken to (Executive Councillor for Culture) Ahmad Yunus Hairi for this issue to not be raised again. Some have asked why these paintings are expensive.
“To me, this is what’s so special about laureates and artists, their value is determined by appreciation and meaning of art. We agreed to make payment according to the offered price,” she said in a press conference today.
The Guest Laureate Award Ceremony was held to appreciate Pak Samad and his courage to unite with the people, which witnessed him receiving a grant worth RM10,000 from the State Government and it was transferred to his account on 5 February 2013.
Two of Pak Samad’s paintings were bought using the Selangor Government’s funds and presented to the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, and the Selangor Economic Advisor, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In relation to that, Rodziah said the purchase of the two paintings worth RM16,000 using State Government funds is not an offence because it was made on the basis that Pak Samad is revered as the Selangor State Guest Laureate.
She said the presentation of the paintings to the two leaders was not made on the basis of what party they are affiliated to but their role as leaders of the State Government.
“The funds can be used because the purchase was made on council policy that involves the State Government and the invited guest (laureate). Is not an offense,” she said.
The Selangor Government Executive Council Meeting this week decided to approve the full payment for the two paintings by the National Laureate and it will be done as soon as possible.
