Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email At least three candidates, already issued appointment letters as
councillors, are being scrutinised following claims by an Ampang
resident that two had police records for robbery and involvement with
the underworld. Another is alleged to have served time under preventive laws. Checks with the police confirmed that at least one had a criminal record
I have to blame the committee (including Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin) who vetted the nominees. The naming of councillors were delayed for three over months due to different selection process as compared to previous government.
Khalid had said that the three-month delay was due to the time taken to vet the list, which was sent to the respective councils last
week
However, all candidates should have been vetted by ACA, police, Insolvency Department, Bank Negara, Syariah court (for muslims), MPAJ and the rest of the cavalry. This would have ensured a better selection of candidates. Candidates who won’t be disputed.
Now, Khalid Ibrahim says it will take another 6 months to vet the candidates, and those found guilty will be removed.
Over the next six months, we will check the backgrounds of all the 288 councillors selected by the state government
Zuraida also clarified that:
Zuraida said a committee had vetted the list based on certain criteria and quotas. “We had submitted names of people who have worked hard and shown consistent performance. “The two nominees in question were genuine in helping us. They did not take a single sen from me,” she said. Zuraida added that the nominees would be removed if there was evidence of criminal activities.
Meanwhile, MPAJ boss created an escape route by denying any knowledge:
MPAJ president Mohammad Yacob said he was shocked by the allegation. He said the council did not have any details of the nominees because the state government provided the list.
