Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email As a normal citizen, I read with horror the report below:
All Federal Government directors of departments and agencies in Perak are banned from attending state-level meetings with immediate effect.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also said that, with immediate effect, federal agencies would only consider recommendations of Federal Village Development and Security Committees.
He said the move was to cut off the village committee appointed by the Pakatan Rakyat state government from access to Federal agencies.
“We will not hesitate to take disciplinary actions against federal agency directors if they attended meetings,” he told reporters after chairing the State Federal Action Council meeting here yesterday.
Zahid said agencies like the Drainage and Irrigation Department, Public Works Department, Health Department, Agriculture Department and the police were exempted from the ruling.
Noting that the Federal government only recognised the Federal Village Committees, their recommendations were therefore be considered legal.
“We do not recognise the recommendations of the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK),” he added.
Zahid said that among the issues that required the recommendations of federal committee were scholarship applications and entries into institutes of higher learning.
Why only 4 departments and police only allowed while the others are not? Will these be extended to all Pakatan states? Is there a valid reason for this seemingly biased and discriminatory action? How are development work going to take place if those involved are not allowed to attend meetings? Does it mean that people of Perak is being punished for voting differently in the last elections? Can the public initiate legal proceedings against the responsible parties for trying to create hatred among Perakians, or for neglecting their responsibilities?
If there’s no proper reason, this move will only backfire on the already damaged reputation of ruling party.
The creation of Federal JKKK last year has been lambasted by many people as it is considered as channel to provide funds directly from Federal government to “selected” groups (read: crony). Even if the intention is noble (ensure funds are channeled directly to grassroot), the existence of two committees in one area only begets more problem. A ship cannot have two captains, a party cannot have two leaders.
