Protest held outside Malacca CM's residence over 'Umno' mayor

Armed with banners that read “Suara Rakyat, Suara Keramat” (People's Voice, Sacred Voice), some 30 Pakatan Harapan members and supporters held a protest outside Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari's official residence Sri Bendahara this afternoon.

The protest was over the appointment of Azmi Hussien as the new Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB) mayor on the grounds that he is an alleged Umno member.

"We disagree with Azmi's appointment because of his background which favours Umno and BN.

"We are disappointed with the way the new mayor was appointed and we urge that the appointment be reconsidered," read the group's memorandum.

The memorandum also called for such appointments to be made based on administrative experience, political leanings, leadership qualities and so forth.

However, the protesters failed to submit their memorandum to the chief minister or his representatives.

"They didn't even send a representative. We were made to look like fools.

"We just stood here and the media covered (the protest), that's about it," one of the protesters, Tina Singh, told Malaysiakini.

She said the group would return on Monday to submit their memorandum, although they would not hold another protest.

Contacted later, a spokesperson for the chief minister's office said Azmi's appointment had nothing to do with whether he is an Umno member or otherwise.

The spokesperson said Azmi was formerly the secretary at MBMB before being transferred to Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Melaka (PKNM) where he served as the chief executive officer.

During the reshuffle under the new state government, the PKNM CEO position was given to former Kuala Lumpur mayor Ruslin Hassan.

"He (Azmi) already reached Jusa C (civil servant grade), so when the reshuffle was happening and the PKNM CEO position was given to someone else, we had to find a position of equal status for him, which was MBMB mayor," said the spokesperson. - Mkini