Councillor may face the sack

Councillor may face the sack PETALING JAYA (March 13, 2011): A Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor is in hot soup following allegations that she abused her power in trying to get a disabled trader at the Taman Megah market to move to the back. Tiew Way Keng is currently the subject of two police reports and an MBPJ inquiry. If she is found to be at fault, she could face the sack. State government officials told theSun that any perceived abuse of power will be dealt with severely. “This is similar to the case of the other councillor who was sacked for issuing letters of support,” said a state official. He was referring to Klang councillors Tee Boon Hock of the DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Hamidah Mad Som who were sacked for allegedly issuing letters of support to family and friends. For Tiew, however, it does not end there. It is understood that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has also opened a file on the case and could haul up the councillor for questioning. Meanwhile, it is learnt that the trader, Shirley Cha, 38, whom the councillor had claimed does not have a trader’s licence, will be issued with one tomorrow. “She will also be allowed to remain at the front row of the market, close to a ramp specially meant for wheelchair access,” said an MBPJ official, adding that there will be other initiatives taken to “right the wrongs” caused to Cha, especially when MBPJ is embarking on a disabled-friendly image. Wheelchair bound councillor Anthony Thanasayan was among those who had been championing for Cha, while state executive councillor for caring society Xavier Jeyajumar had also expressed concern over the matter. Cha and four other stallholders had claimed they were harassed by Tiew and other traders to move to stalls inside the market. This was despite the fact that their stalls were legally balloted, and Cha’s stall featuring disabled-friendly facilities. Tiew has since denied having intimidated the disabled woman and maintains her innocence, saying that Cha had initially agreed to the relocation. -- theSun

Updated: 12:14AM Mon, 14 Mar 2011