GEORGE TOWN: The Seberang Prai City Council (MBSP) has dismissed as baseless and untrue the numerous allegations hurled against its mayor Datuk Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.
The allegations were highlighted in Telegram group Edisi Siasat.
It alleged abuse of power involving the newly-appointed mayor, who had gone on a working trip to Italy with a private company.
It further claimed that the company was instructed to engage Baderul's child to work there and that he had place his own "crony" as the city council secretary.
Baderul was appointed as the mayor in June. He served in the MBSP since 1991.
In a statement made available to the New Straits Times tonight, the MBSP dismissed all the allegations as baseless and untrue.
It said the working trip to Italy was to check out the specification for the Anaerobic Digester machine, which will be used at the Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre (ISWMC) Ampang Jajar.
"The documentation with regard to the working trip are according to the standard operating procedure (SOP) set.
"Also, the working visit has received the approval of the Penang government," it said.
The MBSP also went on to say that the appointment of the MBSP secretary was based on the decision by the state government.
"The MBSP or the mayor is not involved in any way in the appointment of staff in the company question.
"Any appointments are made based on the company's discretion," it added.