RSC withdraws resolution on City Hall's discount call

Royal Selangor Club (RSC) members have rejected City Hall’s call for a 30 percent discount for civil servants membership in return for land title for one of the club’s buildings.

The resolution on the issue was unanimously opposed by members of the club at its annual general meeting today, with some describing the demand as “outrageous and preposterous”.
                  
The general council of the club was chastised for even discussing the matter with outgoing Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail (right).

Among the 10 who took to the floor and opposed the resolution, a retired senior appellate court judge and former president of the club said that the demand was as good as holding the club to ransom.

He explained that RSC had paid for the land and the plot was held under the trusteeship of the mayor. Therefore, the title must be made in favour of the RSC without any condition.

Following the stringent opposition, the club’s general council eventually withdrew the resolution.

A task force has been set up to settle the issue of the land title amicably without any compulsion from City Hall.

A senior member of the club said: “There was a heated argument, where members criticised the general council for bringing up the resolution on this high-handed demand by the City Hall, which tantamount to corruption. 

“It is outrageous and preposterous that the club’s council should even table such a resolution.”

MACC should haul up the mayor

Following the AGM which lasted about six hours, a club member toldMalaysiakini: “The City Hall cannot impose a demand where they would only approve the title for the Kiara Annex in return for the discounted membership for civil servants.

“The club must not introduce special privileges among members. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should call up the mayor and interview him as to why he had demanded such a discount. 

“If the mayor sets such an example, then the staff below him will follow suit and demand favours or cash to approve minor requests by businessmen. This is synonymous to intimidation and daylight robbery.”

The City Hall request for the discount was communicated to the RSC, a prestigious club of who’s who in Malaysia, last year in a letter.

The resolution which was withdrawn today read:

• That the RSC attempt to recruit a fifth of its members from the ranks of the Malaysian civil service.

• That those members recruited be allowed a 30 percent discount on its entrance fees, and

• The club will refund entrance fees for this category of members on their retirement, leave the civil service or upon their death as they will no longer be members of this club under this category.