State assemblyperson for Kabong, Mohd Chee Kadir, who is also Miri deputy mayor, wants to see more professionals appointed as counselors to the Miri City Council (MCC). He was commenting on the appointment of a new mayor and his deputy, where the terms of the incumbents will expire on June 30.

We agree with the proposal that the appointment of mayors and deputies as well as counsellors should be from among professionals rather than politicians. The process should be free from the influence of politicians and they should appointed from various ethnic groups, regardless of race, religion and political affiliation.

The appointments are certainly causing problems when there is interference from politicians. Recently there has been some non-governmental organisations and members of Parti Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) wanted the post of mayor filled by the PBB following the party’s victory, which has helped SUPP in Miri city and Barisan Nasional in the last state elections.

Appointment of members of the council is the responsibility of the state government, but when the state government is likely to appoint those who represent their parties, then the question is raised whether they were elected to represent the party or are representatives of the local population.

This has clearly brought many problems and even been troubling to the residents in that area if they did not support the party that is represented by a member of the council appointed by the political party concerned.

When councillors are appointed to represent their respective parties it is considered contrary to the conditions of appointment because the appointment of councilors should represent the local population so that the people’s problems can be delivered directly to the ruling government and not make MCC as their own political agenda.

They should be free from any political party member because when election time comes they will allegedly use the powers of the MCC to influence voters to vote for their candidate and the political party to which they belong.

We recommend that the professionals appointed are those who are not involved with any political party so that they can do a good job and be free from the clutches of politicians.

Appointment of mayors and MCC members need to be done every five years and they need to perform their duties in a professional manner and not abuse power for their own political agenda. Their duties are also like those of the representatives of the people where they should perform their duties in a transparent and fair manner, regardless of race, religion and political affiliation.

We hope the appointment of mayors and MCC members can be reviewed to make Miri city more advanced in the near future.

JOFRI JARAIEE is Sarawak PAS commissioner-cum-Miri PAS chief.