Teresa tells Shahidan: Don’t be like Annuar

 

Teresa Kok has advised incoming FT minister Shahidan Kassim to avoid the bad example of Annuar Musa.

PETALING JAYA: The incoming federal territories minister, Shahidan Kassim, was urged today to avoid the “bad example” of his predecessor, Annuar Musa, in avoiding meetings with Kuala Lumpur MPs.

Seputeh MP Teresa Kok of DAP said Annuar had held only one meeting with the MPs, and even that was an online meeting, after he became FT minister.

She hoped Shahidan would emulate previous FT ministers Tengku Adnan Mansor and Khalid Samad by holding regular meetings with MPs and high-ranking officers of City Hall (DBKL).

“I also hope he will consult elected representatives before he makes any important decisions, such as the approval of development projects and other matters in our respective constituencies,” she said.

She urged Shahidan to invite Kuala Lumpur MPs to take part in FT security council meetings “so that we can become the bridge between (the council) and the grassroots and business sectors”. She also urged him to allow MPs to appoint members of the residents’ councils in their constituencies.

Praising Shahidan for his past role as menteri besar of Perlis, she said he should treat Kuala Lumpur MPs as the equivalent of state executive councillors. “Close cooperation between the minister and Kuala Lumpur MPs will not only reduce open conflict but will smoothen the governance of Kuala Lumpur and create harmony among the people,” she said.

Kuala Lumpur is run by the FT ministry and DBKL but has no elected government. There are 11 MPs in the territory: nine are from Pakatan Harapan and two from Bersatu, including Titiwangsa MP Rina Harun, who is a minister in the federal Cabinet. - FMT