GEORGE TOWN: Penang Malay Chamber of Commerce (DPMPP) president Rizal Faris Mohideen, up in arms against the state government for targeting Malay hawkers and traders, hardly did justice to his appointment as a municipal councillor from May 2008 until February 2009, say several DAP municipal councillors.

At a press conference here today, the DAP councillors said Rizal hardly attended meetings during his tenure.

"He had every opportunity to raise these grouses, if indeed there were any, during his stint as a municipal councillor as he was in three permanent committees — finance, public health and development planning — and an observer with the One Stop Centre (OSC) committee," said DAP municipal councillor Ong Ah Teong.

"He only attended one OSC meeting out of 29, never attended any of the 13 finance committee meetings, for development planning, out of seven meetings he only attended once, and public health, which is relevant and important to talk about traders he only attended four out of nine meetings.

"Though he chaired the panel for night markets and traders interviews, never did he for once call for a meeting of the panel. When the interviews were held, out of 19 interviews he only attended five. Of the six night market committee meetings, he only attended one.

"How can he claim to have been fighting for the Malay traders when his performance as a municipal councillor was wanting," said Ong.

Ong said Rizal only attended three out of 10 full council meetings and only attended one out of three special council meetings.

Mohamad Yusoff Mohamed Noor, a municipal councillor from PAS, said throughout Rizal's tenure, Rizal attended a total of 16 meetings out of 97 meetings held.

"I believe no other municipal councillor has had such a bad track record as him. The DPMPP should focus its attention on minding its own business instead of interfering in the administration of the state government.

"It is sad that the DPMPP has resorted to playing politics and being made use of by some parties.The DPMPP should remove its sole representative in the MPPP if it strongly feels that its representation in the council has not been effective. Their place can be given to another deserving NGO that can play its role effectively," he added.

Another municipal councillor, Zulkifli Mohd Noor, believed Rizal was desperate to seek publicity as the DPMPP is scheduled to carry out elections this year.

"He is trying to garner support for himself by playing the race card," he added.