SHAH ALAM, 17 June: The Selangor Pakatan Rakyat (PR) government is allowing Assemblymen, whether from the government or the opposition, attend the Council Member’s full meeting that is organised every month.
The Executive Councillor in charge of Local Government, Studies and Research, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, said that the policy of openness adopted by PR is totally different from the old Barisan Nasional (BN) government that deters Assemblymen from the opposition from attending the meetings.
He said that the monthly meetings will also be broadcast live on the respective local authority’s website to enable the public to witness proceedings.
“During BN’s time, Assemblymen were never invited. Instead, they would have to personally ask to attend and then were asked to leave.
“To prove that this is an open government, we have already ordered eight of the 12 local authorities to broadcast (proceedings) live on their websites, like the proceedings of this Assembly session.
“So, if they cannot make it to local authorities or are not invited, Assemblymen, or anyone, can watch the live broadcast on the respective local authority’s website,” he said when answering a question from Shahrum Mohd Sharif (BN-Dengkil) during the Selangor State Assembly session today.
Teng (DAP-Sungai Pinang) said that all minutes of the local authorities’ monthly meetings will also be posted on the respective websites for public viewing, in addition to the intention of publishing all tenders and contracts given to selected contractors.
“We do everything openly, no secrets, and we are planning to publish contracts given to contractors, including the price approved, to prove that the Selangor PR (government) is an open and clean government,” he said.
Meanwhile, when commenting on the quota of Council Members appointed in Selangor, Teng said that 223 Council Members have been approved by the State Government, while the remaining quota will be selected later based on party nominations.
At the same time, he also announced that the appointment period for some of the Council Members cannot exceed two terms, but some will be allowed to extend their service if they show outstanding performance.
“The criteria for appointment depends on nomination from parties, unless it violates regulations. Then the State Government will re-determine it,” he said.
NS
