KUALA LUMPUR – Umno and PAS’ Selangor leaderships have rejected an offer by the Housing and Local Government Ministry for the parties to take on posts in Penggerak Komuniti Tempatan (PeKT).
In a joint statement, Selangor Umno chief Tan Sri Noh Omar and state PAS commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Khairi said the latter party previously rejected the federally appointed positions by abstaining from submitting names.
“As a sign of solidarity and support, even though Selangor Umno has submitted names before, Selangor Umno has made the decision to reject the offer for posts in PeKT.
“Selangor Umno and PAS are of the opinion that positions in the government are not a bargaining tool, but rather, to look after the welfare of the people instead of being used for the political interests of certain parties.”
PeKT, a community service initiative by the federal government, has stumbled into several controversies since its launch last July, with allegations that Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin was appointing members from Penggerak Komuniti Negara, a group comprising mostly former PKR supporters.
Last November, she told the Dewan Rakyat that 261 activists had been appointed across 46 local governments to carry out activities to boost their respective communities.
She listed their roles as including disseminating information on the ministry’s policies and initiatives; creating a united, competitive and sustainable community; offering consultations on community health and welfare; and, collecting feedback for planned projects.
Selangor Bersatu chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari has reportedly confirmed that PeKT appointees will represent the Perikatan Nasional federal government in opposition-held states, with members to be chosen from PN components.
However, it is learnt that the Selangor and Penang governments have decided not to recognise PeKT appointees, as their roles are similar to those of local councillors, and there is no need for them to act as liaisons between federal and state authorities.
Selangor local government exco Ng Sze Han has said the use of local councils’ names on the letterhead of the PeKT letters is not allowed.
Zuraida dismissed Ng’s statement and said the initiative will continue regardless of whether it is recognised by state governments.
She also confirmed that RM2.6 million was allocated under the initiative between September and this month.
It was reported that Putrajaya allocated RM8.6 million under Budget 2021 for PeKT activities.
It is also learnt that each appointee will be paid a monthly allowance of RM2,000. – The Vibes, March 9, 2021
