PENANG, 3 July 2009: A DAP Member of Parliament (MP) today took to task a Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) member from Parti Keadilan Rakyat, saying that the member had abused power for seeking the cancellation of a stop work order issued against a housing developer in Jelutong.
Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi told a news conference here that the member had been lobbying to have the stop work order cancelled so that the company could continue with the condominium project.
Ooi said the member had also demanded MPPP officers to again table the stop work order so that it could be reviewed and withdrawn.
“I feel that the member concerned is not adhering to the principles of competency, accountability and transparency … by lobbying and demanding action in favour of the developer,” he said.
He said the council member concerned could only raise a motion in an official meeting and not by exerting covert pressure.
Ooi said the stop work order was issued by the MPPP on 26 June after the developer was found to have breached the conditions set by the local authority.
He said he received numerous complaints from residents near the project site that the company carried out works after 6pm without MPPP approval, disposed construction waste into nearby drain, and carried out open burning.
Ooi said he had lodged a complaint to the MPPP, which later held a meeting and issued the stop work order.
Penang PKR chairperson Datuk Zahrain Mohamed Hashim, when contacted, said he had no knowledge about the matter but would nevertheless investigate. — Bernama
