Penang Watch

The term of office of the 2 Penang local councils are up by end of February-yet all are quiet on the council front. There was no jostling for councilors' positions as happened in the 1st time the Councilors posts were up for grab. There seems to be a unseen hand trying to guide media attention away from this controversial topic. But there was a pronouncement that give away some hints on what was to happen: NGOs reps will be removed from the future COuncils and a politician may be appointed instead of a civil servant to head the Penang COuncils!

 Not that everyone has been misguided to look elsewhere. Already the Penang Chambers of Commerce-who formed the biggest `NGOs' block in the appointed councilors shot a letter to the media to ask for its share to be retained. Penangwatch had posted something earlier to question who should be better suited to lead the Councils. Surprisingly the most popular candidates from the civil society are not the ones likely to be appointed!

Just when you thin Penang Watch is the few dissenters on the Councilors' appointment the `Chief of Staff' of Penang government dropped a bomb shell that he too disagree if a politician were to head the Councils! That come so close to the anouncement of the Councilors does not bode well for the future leadership of the COuncils-it could only mean that the internal debate is not going the way of the CHief of Staff-who at least on this occasion has spoken for the public interests! 

 Previously Kulasegaran of Perak already voiced his strong intersrts to head Ipoh City Council-but strong objections from public caused him to be appointed as a deputy head of the Council. He was so dissatisfied that he jumped ship. But he may still make further attempts later. So is this another trial by politician to take over the Penang Councils? Let's keep our eyes wide open- don't be distracted even by a by-election!