UPDATE: Nov 04 06
Datuk Zakaria HANDS in Withdrawal Letter to MPK President; Still Very POPULAR With Rakyat & Prefers to be called “ABANG Z” ; Selangor Backbenchers Club Rejects Proposal for Politicians To Be Appointed As Councillors
ABOVE: Datuk Zakaria (or Abang Z) handing in letter to MPK President Abdul Bakir, with copy to MB Khir Toyo
Zakaria Tenders Withdrawal Letter As Municipal Councillor; November 03, 2006 22:01 PMKLANG, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Port Klang Assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros Friday handed in letters of withdrawal from being a Klang Municipal Council (MPK) councillor to Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo and MPK president Abdul Bakir Zin. Dr Mohamad Khir confirmed having received the letter while Abdul Bakir received his copy at the MPK Hari Raya open house ceremony here. Asked whether Zakaria had gone against the state government's directive for delaying his departure from the council, Dr Mohamad Khir said this was not the case. "What is important to me is that he follows our order before Nov 8. As he has resigned, this means he abides by the directive," said Dr Khir Mohamad, who also attended the gathering. Zakaria, who was forced to quit as a councillor of MPK for having built a palatial mansion in a low-cost housing area in Kampung Idaman in Pandamaran here without MPK's approval, was seen hugging Dr Mohamad Khir when the Menteri Besar arrived for the ceremony. On his meeting with another MPK councillor, Datuk Mazlynoor Abdul Latif, who was also guilty of building a house without proper approvals, Dr Khir Mohamad said that Mazlynoor and other Councillors had two months to settle any outstanding issues.
However, Dr Mohamad Khir did not say whether Mazlynoor must relinquish his position in MPK. Mazlynoor avoided the question when pressed by the media. Another Councillor, Faizal Abdullah, who failed to secure MPK's approval for his house's building plan, relinquished his position at MPK for the 2006-2008 term on Nov 1 after being advised by Dr Mohamad Khir. Mazlynoor only said that he had given an explanation to Dr Mohamad Khir and that the latter had been satisfied with it. He claimed that he had followed procedures in submitting the building plan for approval but his mistake was in ordering the contractor to expedite the construction. He sought forgiveness from the people of Klang, MPK and the Menteri Besar for it.
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People Still Support Me, Says Zakaria; November 03, 2006 18:38 PM
KLANG, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Embattled Port Klang state assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros Friday claimed that despite the controversy affecting him, he still enjoyed strong support from UMNO and the people. "The people are still supporting me as a State Assemblyman. To my supporters, I am known as "Abang Z". They don't call me YB or Datuk as I am no stickler for protocol," he told a press conference held at the Klang UMNO building, here. "As Abang Z, I was able to be close to the people. That is why they still support me." Zakaria Thursday night declined to be reappointed as a councillor of the Klang Municipal Council (MPL) as a result of the fiasco he got himself in for building a palatial mansion in a low-cost housing area in Kampung Idaman in Pandamaran here without approval from the council. He subsequently blamed his architect for not having submitted the building plans and also tried to rationalise his mistake by saying that the big house was needed because he had a large extended family .
His term as councillor was to run until Sept 30, 2008. He had been a councillor of MPK since 1979. Thursday, the flamboyant Klang Umno chief was directed by UMNO's Supreme Council to vacate his post as a councillor of the local authority. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor had also advised him to voluntarily relinquish the post while the Selangor State Exco had given him until Nov 8 to do so or find himself fired. Unlike his earlier press conference on the issue on Tuesday where he was sobbing most of the time, he was in a much more jovial mood
ABOVE: Pressmen at the Friday's Press conference, No MORE tears, but his jovail self (BELOW) but refused to answer any questions: ""No, no, comment. Bye, bye, bye" was his response
Friday and said that he would be sending his letter to withdraw from the post to the Prime Minister, Selangor Menteri Besar and the president of MPK later in the day. When asked why only after the Umno Supreme Council's directive that he decided to hand in the letter, Zakaria could only answer," "No, no, comment. Bye, bye, bye" to the laughter of those present. Meanwhile, he invited the media to attend his Hari Raya Open House to be held at his existing house in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran on Nov 20 so that the press could see for itself the level of the people's support for him.
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S'gor Backbenchers Not In Favour Of Councillors Move; November 04, 2006 00:40 AM
SHAH ALAM, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Selangor Backbenchers Club Friday rejected a proposal calling for politicians to be prevented from being appointed as councillors of local authorities. Its chairman Datuk Ahmad Bahari Abdul Rahman said that it was still necessary to have politicians as councillors as they were closer to the people and better able to understand their needs. He said that although there had been instances of abuse of power by some, these were only isolated cases.
"So just because of a few rotten apples, don't penalise the whole bunch. Let's not get emotional about it just because a few were found to be untrustworthy," he told a press conference after a meeting of the club here Friday. Ahmad Bahari is also the State Assemblyman for Templer's Park and a Selayang Municipal Council councillor. He added that a resolution on the matter would be handed to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo
Coming, next post(not up yet)
Mentri Besar KHIR TOYO Retaliates: MASSIVE Checks –on Builing APPROVED Plans for Chinese & Indian TEMPLES, POLITICAL PARTIES Offices, Industrial & Commercial Premises & INDIVIDUAL DWELLINGS
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This late night news was in direct response to the call by the UMNO Supreme Council to step down. And Datuk Zakaria announced his decision to quit by a short SMS statement. It is hard for him to step down voluntarily as he has held the post since 1983 – till now almost 23 years but he is still intact as an Assemblyman.
He is withdrawing from the appointment & not resigning as he has NOT been officially installed as a councilor.
Zakaria Relinquishes Councillor's Post; November 03, 2006 01:26 AM
KLANG, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Datuk Zakaria Md Deros today relinquished his Klang Municipal Council councillor's post following calls from various quarters for him to do so. Zakaria, who had been re-nominated for the council's 2007-2008 term, however, did not officially become a councillor as the swearing-in ceremony which was to be on Oct 19 was postponed. In short statement sent via the Short-Messaging-System (SMS) late tonight, Zakaria announced that he would turn down the offer to resume being a councillor. He said that he took the decision on the advice of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. "Based on the advice by the Prime Minister, I Zakaria Md Deros hereby announce my withdrawal to be a councillor of the Klang Municipal Council (MPK)," he said. Zakaria also thanked everyone for the trust placed in him while he had been a councillor of MPK. When asked by Bernama if that meant he was resigning from the post, he said :
"I don't want to say I am resigning. I ask the media to just follow the statement I am providing."
Zakaria, 60, the Port Klang state assemblyman who has been an MPK councillor since 1983, was asked by the Umno Supreme Council today to relinguish the position. He became embroiled in a controversy when he went ahead and built a palatial mansion in a low-cost-housing-area in Kampung Idaman in Pandaraman here without getting the approval from MPK and ignored several reminders from the council to submit its building plan. The re-appointment of his son, Zainuri and an appointment of his daughter-in-law, Roselinda Abdul Jamil also as MPK councillors caused a public outrage. Zakaria paid homage to Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah of Selangor last Saturday and the latter had advised him to voluntarily relinguish his position as councillor. The Selangor state government had given him until Nov 8 to step down as councillor, failing which he would be removed from the position. However, on Monday, the Klang Umno division in a show of support convened a meeting where party officials asked Zakaria not to vacate the post. They made an appeal to the Prime Minister, his deputy and the Menteri Besar to let Zakaria remain as councillor. At a press conference on Tuesday, Zakaria kept mum on his position as a councillor but tried to rationalise why he was building the mansion while admitting his mistakes.
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SHAHRIR was at the Monthly UMNO Supreme Council Meeting
Resign As Klang Municipal Councillor, Zakaria Told; November 03, 2006 00:29 AM
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Umno supreme council today asked Klang Umno chief Datuk Zakaria Md Deros, embroiled in a controversy over his building of a palatial mansion without approval from the Klang Municipal Council, to resign as a councillor of the local authority. Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the decision was made at today's supreme council meeting based on his wrongdoings. He, however, said no action would be taken at party level on Zakaria's positions as Klang Umno chief and Port Klang state assemblyman. "As a division head, he can provide good leadership to the division," he told a press conference after chairing the montly meeting of the supreme council, Umno's highest policy-making body, Thursday. Zakaria grabbed newspaper headlines over his building of a palace-like mansion dubbed "Istana Idaman" at Kampung Idaman in Pandamaran, Klang, without submitting the building plan to the Klang Municipal Council for approval.
ABOVE & BELOW: Others attending the Meeting were unamious in deciding Zakaria's fate and Mahathirs positions as advisors
Questions were also raised on the appointment of Zakaria, his son, Zainuri, and daughter-in-law, Roselinda Abdul Jamil, as councillors of the Klang Municipal Council. Zakaria, who had an audience with the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, last Saturday to explain the issues and controversies surrounding him, was advised by the Ruler to voluntarily quit his councillor's post. The Selangor government has given until next Wednesday for Zakaria to step down as a councillor. Todate Zakaria has not quit the post but held a press conference on Tuesday to clarify the rational to build the luxury mansion and admitted his mistake that its design might not be suitable to the surroundings. Abdullah said no other action would be taken against Zakaria except to only advise him.
When pointed out that Zakaria's action had tarnished Umno's image, Abdullah said he had explained his mistakes. "His explanation has been accepted. So, in this matter, he has no problems," he said. On elected representatives holding councillors' post in local authorities, Abdullah said the supreme council had not made a decision on the matter.
In keeping with yesterday's cabinet decision, he said, the government needs to get details on the matter, including the total number of elected representatives serving as councillors.
"Only after that we will make a decision," he added= = = = = =
ZAK TO ZAK! Zakaria involved in land request and approval;
02 Nov 2006 M.K. Megan, S. Selvam and Devinder Singh from NST
APPLICATION: Selangor Badminton Association (President - Datuk Zakaria Mat
Deros)
APPROVAL: PKNS Land Committee (Chairman - Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros) KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor Badminton Association applied for a piece of land which was approved by the Perbadanan Kemajuan Negeri Selangor. Nothing wrong with that. Except that beleaguered Klang municipal councillor Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros is the SBA president and chairman of the PKNS land committee which approved the application. Zakaria, it appears, is a magnet for controversy. Even before the furore surrounding his palatial home has subsided, questions are being raised as to whether there was a conflict of interest in the approval of the land. The SBA asked for four hectares (10 acres) in Shah Alam but was alienated a 2.8ha (seven acres) lot in Section 7, Phase 3B, Shah Alam. The cost of the land is RM6,133,834.20, which is below the market value. It
is believed the market value per square foot in Section 7 is between RM70 and RM100 a square foot, but was offered to the SBA at RM18. Ironically, the Sultan of Selangor, who asked Zakaria to quit as councillor, is also the patron of the SBA. In fact, another councillor, Mazlynoor Abdul Latif, who also failed to submit building plans for his new house, is the SBA vice-president. Zakaria, when asked whether the land had been acquired, said: "I do not want to comment on that. We will discuss it during the AGM (annual general meeting) on Dec 9." He said this after an SBA council meeting at its
headquarters in Kampung Attap yesterday. Zakaria is seeking re-election. Zakaria has been in the limelight following the controversy surrounding his decision to build a bungalow in Kampung Idaman, Pandamaran, Klang without planning permission.
The application from the SBA was made to the PKNS on June 3, 2004 stating that it was only practical that the SBA moved its headquarters to the State' s capital, Shah Alam.
It was also stated in the application that the SBA was requesting a four hectare plot to build a badminton academy and several other sports facilities. The request met with a favourable response from the PKNS on July 28, 2004, which stated that the Land Committee approved the application at its July 1, 2004 meeting. However, it is unclear whether Zakaria voted or abstained when the matter was brought up to the Land Committee in 2004. The PKNS also requested the SBA to furnish details of a conceptual plan for the building, building components, phases of the building process, estimated costs and other relevant information. According to several sources, at a Sept 15, 2006 SBA exco meeting, it was also suggested that the association seek developers to develop the 2.8ha lot. The idea to seek a piece of land in Shah Alam, said a source, was mooted by Zakaria himself. Among plans for the complex are 12 courts with seating capacity for 1,000 to 2,000 spectators, a 30-room hostel, a clubhouse and other sports facilities. The total cost of the project is about RM10 million.
Extract quoting Khir Toyo:
"I cannot make my own decision to remove him if he does not relinquish his post. I need the consensus of the exco," he said. And to the question, "Will you recommend Zakaria for another term as assemblyman?", Khir answered "That is to be decided by the PM". But did Khir recommend Zakaria before? While the PM may [but may not have exercised the right] have the final say about who gets to stand in state elections, did Khir recommend Zakaria the last time round? And, as I understand the question which was posed to him, will Khir recommend Zakaria AGAIN?
News Focus: Reining in the 'maverick'
02 Nov 2006 Annie Freeda Cruez and V. Vasudevan
Khir says he is not frightened to take action.; SHAH ALAM: 9am, Nov 8.
That's the deadline set for embattled Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros to resign as Klang municipal councillor. If he does not quit by then, the state executive council will sack him. This was revealed to the New Straits Times by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo yesterday. "If by the start of the state exco meeting on that day his letter is not with us, he had better be prepared to be removed," he said of the assemblyman who has put the Menteri Besar in a spot. He said Zakaria's appointment as a councillor was endorsed by the state exco and therefore his resignation should also be through the exco. "I cannot make my own decision to remove him if he does not relinquish his post. I need the consensus of the exco," he said. The Port Klang state assemblyman hogged the headlines after it emerged that he was building a palatial home in Pandamaran without approval from the Klang Municipal Council. Newspapers also reported that he, his son and daughter-in-law were going to be appointed to the council by virtue of their political positions.
Dr Khir looked calm and occasionally laughed while fielding questions on the assemblyman and the Klang Municipal Council at his office. Questions have been raised over the way Zakaria and two other councilors have blatantly built massive houses without planning approval. Dr Khir's leadership has also come under the spotlight, with several newspaper columnists questioning the way he has reacted to the situation.
"Selangor is a big state. I can't be expected to know everything or be everywhere," he said, brushing aside talk that the Klang Municipal Council and the MB had little control over councillors. Dr Khir conceded the Zakaria episode had damaged the Barisan Nasional's image but said he had instituted measures to dispel the negative perceptions it had created in the public mind. "There has been damage done by him. That is why we want to avoid such incidents," he said, pointing out that he had given two months to all councillors to clear their debts, quit rent arrears and assessment arrears or be dropped.
He dismissed talk that he only acted against Zakaria as and when the media raised questions about the controversy.
"I tried to give him a chance to resign on his own. I told him well before he went to meet Tuanku (the Selangor Sultan) to resign," he said, replying to observations by columnists that it took the Sultan of Selangor to try and right a wrong. At the height of the controversy, when Zakaria was summoned by the Sultan, who wanted to get a clear picture on the allegations against Zakaria,including those about his behaviour, he did not show up, citing illness.
However, he turned up on Oct 28 at Istana Kayangan and the Sultan, in an hour-long closed door meeting, advised Zakaria to mend his ways and relinquish his position as a councillor. Dr Khir said: "We do not want to embarrass him. I advised him a week before Tuanku summoned him to the palace to resign as a councillor.
"I thought it would be better for him to declare it in front of Tuanku. But when I got a report that Zakaria did not say so, I decided to give him anultimatum." He said Zakaria should have apologised and, as a responsible leader, shouldhave relinquished the post. Dr Khir also replied to talk that the Selangor government could have avoided the current situation if it had dealt with Zakaria's candidacy honestly.
"I checked, there was no record against Zakaria. No ACA report, no police case against him," he said of the assemblyman who had slapped Teng Chang Kim during a state assembly sitting in 2000. Dr Khir said party considerations too had to be taken into account in selecting candidates for elections. Zakaria is the division chief.
Outlining the procedure for selection of an election candidate, Dr Khir said when a person was nominated, he would be vetted by the ACA and police and as far as Zakaria was concerned, both agencies had given him a clean bill. "When there is no case against him, I can't say anything. There was no criminal case. Even my name was given for vetting to the ACA and the police," he added. Zakaria was going to serve his 12th term as councillor and many wondered how he could serve for so many years. One term is two years. To this, Dr Khir said: "There should be guidelines on this. I think two to three terms are enough. I need to discuss this with the party."
He said he was open to a lot of things but sometimes tradition made change difficult. "But slowly we will do it. I know most Malaysians like all changes in one go."
Excerpts of the interview with Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo
Q: You have asked Zakaria to resign, but his term expired last September. There does not seem to be any logic in this?
A: We have to appoint new councillors before September. Otherwise, the council cannot do its work. Letters to councillors were sent before September to get their reply as to their acceptance of the position. All accepted. The swearing in ceremony is just a formality. Zakaria has already
got his appointment letter and has signed and returned the letter. That iswhy I have to ask him to resign.
Q: Why do you allow state assemblymen to be councillors ?
A: About 90 per cent of Selangor is urbanised and people complain to state assemblymen. If we don't put state assemblymen there, how do we link them to council presidents? They have to have an avenue to raise all the problems.
Q: Are you happy with the way the Klang Municipal Council handled Zakaria's case? It looks like they did not want to take action against him.
A: I do not know what happened. I asked the council president. Some officers did not take action because he is respected in Klang. To me, a leader must follow all the regulations. That is why I gave a directive to all councillors . If they cannot clear in two months all debts, quit rent and
assessment arrears, I will remove them.
Q: Is there a need to allow two people from a family to sit on a council?
A: We have to be fair. Sometimes, they are knowledgeable, professionals or have positions in the party. It is mainly because of capability and sometimes party position but sometimes we do not allow. Take Zakaria. His daughter-in-law is a graduate, gives a lot of advice and information to the council. She contributes a lot. His son is also a good contributor. We do not want councillors who are quiet, do not even utter a word but come out of meetings and complain about everything.
Q: If a councillor does not perform, can you terminate his service before his term ends?
A: Of course. If they fail to attend a full board meeting three times without any reason, we can remove them. The president can submit a report to the state. We can remove them irrespective of whatever position they hold in the party, even state assemblymen.
Q: There are allegations that Zakaria can be rude. Why did you take so long to act on this?
A: His style is like that. He likes to speak loudly. As far as I am concerned, when I chair meetings I have no problem. The local authority must take action.
Q: Are you reluctant to take action? Are you intimidated by him?
A: If I was frightened, I won't take action. Last time I acted against Pandamaran (Zakaria had wanted to develop part of a field but other councillors opposed and Dr Khir intervened and stopped the development). There is no fear or favour.
Q: How did he manage to get a second term as state assemblyman when he had
problems? For example, he had slapped DAP state assemblyman Teng Chang Khimin the state assembly.
A: Our procedure is to get candidates vetted by the anti-corruption agency and the police and they say there is no case against him. I can't say anything. So he got another term.
Q: What will happen to Zakaria's Klang division? They seem to challenge your
leadership by calling for him to be retained.
A: That is for the party to decide. I read the statement by the division's deputy president. I have given a full report to party headquarters.
Q: Are you in touch with Zakaria?
A: I called him a few times and even yesterday. My job is to advise. I cannot force people to follow my advice although I am boss. Sometimes people think the advice is not important, their opinion is more important.
Q: Will you recommend Zakaria for another term as assemblyman?
A: That is to be decided by the PM.
ABOVE: MPK Open house tuck in' I am here for the food" Queue
ABOVE: DATUK ZAKARIA at his Press Conference BELOW: Handing over the withdrawal Letter
And BELOW; In action, explaining to his supporters.
