MPPP must improve its performance

Press Statement

Wednesday, 22 April 2009

Penang state government should concentrate on improving the standard and performance of the Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) which has been dropping over the years, said Penang Gerakan Assistant Secretary Goh Kheng Sneah.

Goh said from feedback, the performance of MPPP was deteriorating, with several heads of departments resigning. Hawkers had also complained that MPPP had not been handling their problems well.

“Council president Datuk Zainal Rahim Seman has been promoted to Penang State Secretary and so there is no head,” he said, adding that Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng should fill up the post quickly.

Goh said Lim should not allow Pakatan Rakyat component parties interfere in the appointment.
Goh was commenting on a statement by Jelutong MP Ooi Chuan Aun that MPPP ranked 21 out of 98 local authorities nationwide for the Year 2008 and was graded three stars, achieving 68.5 points out of 100.

Ooi said on the other hand, the Seberang Prai Municipal Council, which was seen as a ‘weakling’ compared to the MPPP was ranked 16.

“Under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, the rating for the local governments 2008 was carried out from April 1 last year and the result was announced on April 14,” said Ooi.
Goh said that logically the assessment was made after Pakatan came into power in Penang, and so Pakatan should bear the responsibility for the poor performance.

“Anyway, whether the assessment is done before or after Pakatan came into power, Pakatan cannot not deny that the MPPP’s current performance is bad,” said Goh.