KUALA LUMPUR: United Rights of Malaysian Party (Urimai) president P. Ramasamy has suggested that the Penang Appeals Board be scrapped if it holds no significance.
Ramasamy, who was formerly Penang Deputy Chief Minister II, criticised Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for allegedly downplaying the significance of the board.
"If the Appeals Board holds no significance, then the state should scrap it. Chow should not trivialise the Appeals Board nor the Freedom of Information Act," he said in a statement.
He said Chow also shouldn't trivialise or downplay the selection of prominent lawyer Baldev Singh Gurchan Singh - who is the father-in-law of Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo - as the chairman of the appeals board.
He noted that it was Jagdeep himself who had presented the motion to be adopted in the state assembly.
"Surprisingly, the appointment of Baldev never caught the eyes of the state assemblymen, particularly members of the opposition.
The issue is neither Baldev's seniority nor his knowledge of legal matters. Unfortunately, he happens to be the father-in-law of Jagdeep.
"The matter of family relationship should have at least be made known in the state assembly before the vote was taken. This did not happen," he said.
Ramsamy also criticised the state opposition, labeling Perikatan Nasional (PN) representatives "a disappointment."
"How could the elected representatives unanimously endorse the appointment of the Appeals Board members including the chairman. Didn't the opposition do some homework on the matter?" he said.
He said the Penang government should convene an urgent state assembly sitting to address the withholding of information pertaining to the appointment.
Earlier today, Chow said Baldev had declined the appointment following controversy over the issue.
Chow said Baldev likely did not want to prolong the issue despite being qualified to head the board.
Chow added that the board had heard "practically no cases at all" over the years.
Jagdeep, in a statement on Facebook, had stressed that the selection was made solely on merit and the contributions Baldev had made throughout his career.
Jagdeep had also acknowledged the concerns raised regarding the appointment.