The MPAJ Cover Up (Episode 2)

For those uninformed, there exist a widening rift between the Selangor PKR Chief, the Selangor MB and PKR EXCO. On June the 27th, 2010 PKR appointed Azmin Ali as the Selangor PKR Chief, a post traditionally reserved for the Menteri Besar. Could the Anwar clique be attempting to wrestle power from Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and appoint Azmin Ali as the next Selangor MB should PKR win the subsequent Selangor State Government?

By Hakim Joe

First of all, I would personally like to thank Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, the Menteri Besar of Selangor for officially initiating an internal investigation on Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ) and the MP of Ampang, YB Zuraida Kamaruddin for their alleged involvement
and complexities in the Bazar Larut Malam @ Midnite Jelatek case whereby the hawkers’ license fees of approximately RM19,000 are still currently outstanding (refer to http://malaysia-today.net/mtcolumns/letterssurat/45601-the-mpaj-cover-up-episode-1).

However, it is rather disappointing and unacceptable that the Selangor PKR Chairman and PKR vice-president Mohamed Azmin Ali, would not officially sanction this investigation on his deputy chairperson for reasons unbeknownst to anyone except himself (and probably his
deputy). Whether the fact that PKR President Datuk Seri Dr. Wan Azizah or any (or all) of the PKR Executive Committee members are knowledgeable of this issue remains mysterious as no directive was officially issued from the Parti Keadilan Rakyat HQ.

For those uninformed, there exist a widening rift between the Selangor PKR Chief, the Selangor MB and PKR EXCO. On June the 27th, 2010 PKR appointed Azmin Ali as the Selangor PKR Chief, a post traditionally reserved for the Menteri Besar. Could the Anwar clique be attempting to wrestle power from Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and appoint Azmin Ali as the next Selangor MB should PKR win the subsequent Selangor State Government?

Regardless of the speculation that Azmin Ali is being groomed to be the next Selangor MB, both himself and the existing MB should disassociate themselves from the suspect in this current issue. Although the sum of RM19,000 is but paltry (as compared to the cost to
construct the Toyol Mansion), the fact remains that this sum of money is still unaccounted for.

For those who are not informed, Bazar Larut Malam @ Midnite Jelatek was a concept introduced by the PKR Wanita Chief way back in 2008 but did not receive official approval from MPAJ until 2010 and after constant and repeated pressure from the Ampang MP. Even though this well intended proposal could have taken off and remained successful, the reluctance for proper management and enforcement from MPAJ and the intense involvement of the Ampang MP herself has doomed this project from the very start. Bazar Larut Malam @ Midnite Jelatek was abandoned a mere nine months later.

As with any pasar malams, hawkers’ licensing fees were collected prior to its launch but the monies involved were never remitted to MPAJ and hence the outstanding status on its book keeping. Who collected these fees on behalf of MPAJ and why were the hawkers willing to give these license fees to anyone else rather than MPAJ directly? The more pertinent question remains why MPAJ is not actively seeking the return of this outstanding amount.

It is widely known amongst the MPAJ inner circle that the MPAJ Councillor in charge of Jelatek, Ketua Zon Kak Hayati is a softie and is incapable of such actions. Furthermore, she does not possess the authority to do so as it infringes on municipal regulations. The only two people possessing sufficient clout to supersede this municipal regulation are the MPAJ Chief, Yang Dipertua (YDP) Dato' Mohammad Yacob (who rejected the Bazar Larut Malam concept from the very beginning), and the Ampang MP, YB Zuraida Kamaruddin (who proposed the Bazar Larut Malam concept from the very beginning).

Lastly, unknown to the majority of people in Selangor and during the time between 2008 and 2010 (before Bazar Larut Malam @ Midnite Jelatek was finally approved), yet another bizarre proposal was submitted to MPAJ for the widening of all sidewalks surrounding
Spectrum Shopping Mall at Ampang for street hawkers to operate. This concept was again rejected by MPAJ after numerous complaints from the shop owners and business operators within that vicinity as the worsening traffic condition and woefully insufficient car-park bays was already creating a traffic gridlock inside those few streets surrounding Spectrum Shopping Mall and the addition of licensed street hawkers could turn the entire area into a “black zone” and this will ultimately hurt business.

No points for guessing the name of the MP who put forward this proposal to MPAJ.