Eyebrows rose when Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Paul Low showed up today at the Transparency-International Malaysia (TI-M) Extraordinary General Meeting aimed at resolving its leadership tussle sparked by his resignation as president.
According to former TI-M secretary-general Josie Fernandez (right), Low had explained that his presence was necessary to clarify his appointment as minister while still president.
"We (TI-M) have a code of conduct where an exco member who has resigned should wait a year before taking up position in the government but he (Low) explained that he did not apply for the position as a minister, it was an invitation," she told Malaysiakini when contacted.
During the closed door meeting at the Royal Selangor Club in Bukit Kiara this morning, Fernandez said members had also raised concern about political influence over TI-M.
However, she conceded that there was nothing in TI-M's constitution preventing politicians from becoming members.
According to former TI-M secretary-general Josie Fernandez (right), Low had explained that his presence was necessary to clarify his appointment as minister while still president."We (TI-M) have a code of conduct where an exco member who has resigned should wait a year before taking up position in the government but he (Low) explained that he did not apply for the position as a minister, it was an invitation," she told Malaysiakini when contacted.
During the closed door meeting at the Royal Selangor Club in Bukit Kiara this morning, Fernandez said members had also raised concern about political influence over TI-M.
However, she conceded that there was nothing in TI-M's constitution preventing politicians from becoming members.
'Status quo' remains
Today's EGM tsought to put an end to TI-M's leadership crisis with 15 members voting for the existing exco to resign while 24 others voted to retain it, effectively keeping the status quo intact. They similarly voted to retain TI-M's office bearers.
With Low's (left) departure as president on May 24, Fernandez who failed in a bid for that post had said she intended to resign within two weeks but the exco immediately removed her, to be replaced by Loi Kheng Min.
Fernandez then said she had yet to step down and received verification from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) still recognising as secretary-general but would resign during today's EGM.
However, the TI-M exco sprang a surprise, producing a ROS certificate dated today naming Loi as the valid secretary-general.
"I had brought my resignation letter today but they suddenly revealed an ROS certificate recognising Loi as secretary-general dated today.
"I don't know how they managed to get confirmation from ROS on a Saturday when the offices do not open but that means my resignation is no longer necessary," she said.
The EGM which began at 9.30am concluded some four hours later.
Meanwhile, an online petition against TI-M has emerged, claiming that Fernandez was facing gender discrimination from the all-male exco.
The petition called for the TI headquarters in Berlin to act against the existing exco and have it issue an apology.
Today's EGM tsought to put an end to TI-M's leadership crisis with 15 members voting for the existing exco to resign while 24 others voted to retain it, effectively keeping the status quo intact. They similarly voted to retain TI-M's office bearers.
With Low's (left) departure as president on May 24, Fernandez who failed in a bid for that post had said she intended to resign within two weeks but the exco immediately removed her, to be replaced by Loi Kheng Min.Fernandez then said she had yet to step down and received verification from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) still recognising as secretary-general but would resign during today's EGM.
However, the TI-M exco sprang a surprise, producing a ROS certificate dated today naming Loi as the valid secretary-general.
"I had brought my resignation letter today but they suddenly revealed an ROS certificate recognising Loi as secretary-general dated today.
"I don't know how they managed to get confirmation from ROS on a Saturday when the offices do not open but that means my resignation is no longer necessary," she said.
The EGM which began at 9.30am concluded some four hours later.
Meanwhile, an online petition against TI-M has emerged, claiming that Fernandez was facing gender discrimination from the all-male exco.
The petition called for the TI headquarters in Berlin to act against the existing exco and have it issue an apology.
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