Move to appraise councillors lauded
THE state government welcomes the move by a group of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to evaluate via questionnaires the performance of Penang Island municipal councillors.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow said councillors should respond to the questionnaires to show their commitment as well as achievements.
He said the state was adopting an open attitude to the NGOs' campaign entitled "Know Your Councillor" and their various efforts for the betterment of the state.
"We are open to various suggestions by the NGOs here and we also appreciate their efforts to push for local elections, to monitor councillors and evaluate their performance.
"The NGOs here are representing a part of our society, that wants to see an improved local council.
"Such an effort will help make the MPPP more accountable to the people," he said during a visit to the Chew Jetty here recently.
It was reported that the group of NGOs had emailed questionnaires to the 23 MPPP councillors, asking them to write down three major achievements this year and to state why they deserve to be reappointed for another term.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) Penang, Sembang-Sembang Forum and Coalition for Good Governance Penang committee member Tan Seng Hai had said the "Know Your Councillor" campaign was meant to promote local democracy and local elections, apart from helping the public get to know the councillors and their roles better.
The councillors here are appointed from political parties -- 10 from DAP, eight from Parti Keadilan Rakyat and two from Pas -- while the rest are representatives from NGOs and chambers of commerce.
Meanwhile, Chow also announced the Spring Cleaning @ George Town World Heritage Site 2012 (Clan Jetty Zone) event that would see the clan jetties undergo a spruce-up on Jan 15.
He said the "gotong-royong" programme would see the MPPP work together with some 500 volunteers to clean up the clan jetties at Pengkalan Kota, which is now a must-see heritage destination for tourists.
"The jetties will be equipped with rubbish bins provided by the MPPP," he said.
Chow also said the state had provided funds for sprucing up the clan jetties, upgrading and repairing of the Lim and Tan jetties.
Other jetties to be upgraded early next year would be the Chew, Yeoh and Mixed Clan Jetties, he said.
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