IPOH: The appointment of Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran as city councillor has drawn flak from various quarters.Ipoh Ratepayers Association (Irata) vice-president Victor Sankey expressed concern whether Kulasegaran could spare the time from his tight schedule as a parliamentarian to attend to local issues.“No doubt, his credentials qualify him as a councillor but he has enough on his plate as a parliamentarian,” he said yesterday.Pointing out that local councils were the third tier of government and closest to the people, Victor said ratepayers had high expectations.He added that the people were already annoyed that only 30% of the councillors’ posts were allotted to non-governmental organisations.Perak Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming had on Monday announced the list of councillors.Teja assemblyman Chang Lih Kang was also sceptical if Kulasegaran could handle the appointment. He added that the Ipoh Barat MP’s appointment had also set a bad precedent.“A politician should not be given excessive power. Kulasegaran’s appointment is a form of monopoly.“As there were other candidates applying to become councillors, it should not be monopolised by politicians,” he said.Perak MCA organising secretary Dr Mah Hang Soon questioned whether Kulasegaran could carry out his duties as a councillor as he would be away in Parliament for more than 100 days a year.“Being a councillor, he needs to be regularly available to the people,” he said.Kulasegaran, however, said he would not face problems in carrying out his duties as both MP and councillor.“As I have vast knowledge on local council affairs, I am expected to play a pivotal role in Ipoh City Council,” he said.He added that he would quit as a lawyer soon to concentrate on his dual role.
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