Citizen Nades - MBPJ must keep at it

REWIND: On a fine sunny afternoon in May 2006, I witnessed a turf war of sorts. On one side was then Petaling Jaya Municipal Councillor (MPPJ) V. Subramaniam. On the other was MPPJ legal adviser Abd Muttalib Mohd Ali. Ironically, theSun headlined the story: MPPJ vs MPPJ.
It escalated into a war of words. Short of expletives, a series of words, many bordering on defamation spilled out of the politician.
"There are other illegal structures and billboards (which) you don't take down. Why? The moment it is illegal it is corruption. These are the Little Napoleons the press (have been writing about)."
Subramaniam accused Abd Muttalib of siphoning billboard licensing fees for the MPPJ Sports Club. He warned the officers not to interfere with the work or there would be "hell to pay".
The battle had erupted over attempts by MPPJ to stop the Public Works Department and an outdoor advertising company from putting up a pedestrian bridge over the Federal Highway. The construction, said Subramaniam, had been approved by the then works minister, Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu, and that the council had no say on the issue.
Abd Muttalib replied: "You say what you want, I'll be quiet. No point arguing. My conscience is clear. I'm just doing my job."

FAST FORWARD: Last Thursday, Abd Muttalib, who had by then been promoted to legal director of the newly constituted City Council, was sacked after a two-year investigation concluded that he had acted improperly when awarding billboard contracts to a media company.
Petaling Jaya Mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said he has been removed with immediate effect and would lose benefits such as pension.
Investigations began when councillors lodged reports with the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission after discovering that contempt proceedings had been initiated against the then Petaling Jaya mayor and deputy mayor by an outdoor media company on Nov 12, 2013.
The councillors alleged that Abd Muttalib gave 13 billboard sites to the operator on terms that were prejudicial to the interests of the city council without the knowledge or consent of the council.
An audit was started in December 2013 before the final report was unveiled last October. The audit's executive summary said the legal department had misrepresented the status of a February 2013 Shah Alam High Court order in the media company's favour.

ON my desk, there is an audit report which forms part of an extract of court documents. It contains some damning evidence of wrongdoing and to say that it was a scathing comment on Abd Muttalib's conduct would be an understatement.
Saying anything more would be subjudice as the council has filed an application to nullify the consent agreement it had entered into with the outdoor media company.
Besides, let me also declare that my run-ins with Abd Muttalib started in 1993 when photographer Patrick Ho (now editor of Golf Digest) and I staked out his residence for weeks. This was because we had been tipped-off that he was rearing fighting cocks when the local laws banned the rearing of poultry in the municipality.
Having said that, let it be categorically reminded that Malaysians are witnessing a change in attitude and the blossoming of a "no tolerance for wrongdoing" culture. The decision of the council, although long overdue, sends a powerful message that government departments and agencies should not sweep problems and issues under the carpet.
When integrity is compromised, there should be no other alternative but to impose the harshest form of punishment, which it is hoped will act as a deterrent.
It has not been done before but with the MBPJ setting the precedent, will there be others to follow? What about those who collected millions in the name of "kelab sukan", thereby depriving the council of its rightful revenue?
What about those who set up private companies and used the council as its registered address, giving such companies some legitimacy of being connected the council?
There can be no compromise when it comes to loss of revenue involving abuse and misuse of power. The council, which has in the past been the subject of heavy criticism from this writer, must be commended for its decision to walk the distance.
Due process was followed and for a change, kudos is certainly in order. But the task does not end there. There are many other malpractices which have been brought to the fore but little action had been taken.
A case in point is the falsification of the Petaling Jaya Local Plan which continues to make headlines. Instead of arresting the problem by getting to the root of the issue, the council has been pussy-footing despite the findings of the State Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency.
To avoid any accusation of partisan or selective punishment, the council should aver to ensure that each and every complaint is treated in the same way, with a complete audit followed by an inquiry.
MBPJ, despite its not-so-good track record, has set the ball rolling to change its image and reputation. If it fails to continue pushing for changes, residents would be entitled to chant in unison: One swallow does not make a summer.

R. Nadeswaran has been writing on the lawlessness in local councils for umpteen years and has finally seen some semblance of law and order being restored. Comments: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com