Produce full report on questionable awards received, PICC tells councils

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government has directed the Penang Island City Council and the Seberang Perai Municipal Council to produce a full report regarding the controversy surrounding the Europe Business Assembly (EBA) awards awarded to both in 2013 and 2014.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) said he will only address and speak on the matter when the report is submitted for his perusal but declined to elaborate when pressed.
He said it was better to wait for City Council Mayor Datuk Maimunah Shariff to return from a seminar to give her statement.
"She is now in Manila, Philipines," he said when asked about the issue on the sidelines of the state investiture ceremony today.
Questions have been asked about the credibility of the awards given to both Councils by the EBA after the issue was highlighted in the media.
In March 2013, then Penang Island Municipal Council president Datuk Patahiyah Ismail obtained the "Best Municipal Manager" award while the Council received the "Best Municipality Award".
In July 2014, Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) was given the "Best City Award" while the then Council president Datuk Maimunah obtained the "Best City Manager Award".
At a separate press conference on the same issue, Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth chief H'ng Chee Wey told the state to set-up a committee to probe what happened.
He said the state and both Councils have to come clean over the issue and to provide a clear explanation to the public.
"Set up a committee to investigate the matter," he said, after handing over a 10 point memorandum to the City Council at City Hall today.