SHAH ALAM: Port Klang state assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Md Deros has finally decided not to continue as Klang municipal councillor.
In a statement released around midnight, Zakaria said his decision not to accept nomination was made following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's advice yesterday.
“I thank the trust given to me in allowing me to serve the council all this while,” said Zakaria, who had served as a councillor in the Klang Municipal Council (MPK) for more than two decades.
He declined to elaborate but said he would hold a press conference later.
Hours earlier, Abdullah, who is also Umno president, had said Zakaria should pull out from the swearing-in ceremony for councillors on Nov 8.
As for Zakaria’s post as Klang Umno division chief, he said no decision had been made.
“He has been a good leader to his division,” Abdullah said after chairing the supreme council meeting yesterday.
Asked why Umno allowed Zakaria to continue holding his division chief post despite the embarassment he has caused, Abdullah said the wrongdoing was not a party matter.
“It has to do with the (state) government. It is enough for us to decide that he should not be appointed councillor.”
Zakaria drew ire when it was disclosed that he had built his four-storey Istana Idaman without submitting the building plan to the council.
He had also failed to pay assessment for 12 years for the house he is staying in.
Zakaria also illegally built a restaurant, DZ Satay House, on state reserve land. The restaurant was recently sealed off by the council.
(Two other councillors – Datuk Mazlynoor Abdul Latif and Faizal Abdullah – also failed to submit plans for their houses. Faizal, who is Kapar Umno youth chief, resigned as councillor on Wednesday.)
The controversy over Zakaria led to the Sultan of Selangor summoning him to the palace. The ruler told Zakaria to quit.
At yesterday’s press conference, Abdullah, when asked about other action the party would be taking other than asking Zakaria not to be a councillor, said: “Nothing. We merely gave him advice.”
To a question on Zakaria’s action affecting Umno's image, Abdullah said the assemblyman claimed that he had paid up what he owed
WE DO NOT let him just pass this way and let him to decide anything at all. This guy is seriously in big deep shit and resignation is the only punishment? I dont think is fair at all .... we must request all his money to be hand out !!!!
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