Press Statement by DAP Penang chairman and MP for Tanjong Chow Kon Yeow on Saturday, 27 May 2006.
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Preposterous for Penang CM to treat Ahmad Ismail’s councillorship as being not affected

The local media reported today that the Insolvency Department has cleared embattled Penang Island Municipal Councillor Datuk Ahmad Ismail as not a bankrupt following a court order on Wednesday.

Penang CM Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon was very quick in breaking the news to the Press yesterday.

He said, “I will recommend to the State Executive Council at its next meeting to treat his councillorship as (being) not affected.”

It is preposterous for Tsu Koon to think that Ahmad Ismail’s councillorship was not affected.

The fact is the State Executive Council has decided to revoke Ahmad Ismail’s appointment as Councillor and the revocation letter was sent out by the President of the Council to Ahmad Ismail.

Ahmad said on Thursday that he was on leave but Council President rebutted that there was a vacancy to be filled and the Council is waiting for the Executive Council to fill the vacancy.

Now, Tsu Koon in haste to appease the angry Ahmad Ismail, uttered the preposterous statement that the councillorship was being not affected.

Leaving asides legal issues over Ahmad Ismail’s bankrupt status, it would be legally wrong to deem nothing has changed with regard to the Councillor post.

If Tsu Koon strongly feel that Ahmad Ismail should remain a Councillor, then it is only proper for the State Executive Council to reappoint the latter according to the provisions of the Local Government Act.

Tsu Koon’s image as the CM has been seriously dented in the way he handled this issue.