DAP to formulate code of ethics for elected reps

GEORGE TOWN: DAP will formulate a code of ethics for its 151 elected representatives, according to DAP vice chairman Chow Kon Yeow. It will govern communications aspects and ethics, as well as social etiquette.
Chow, who is also Penang Chief Minister, said that he and two other DAP leaders have been entrusted with the task of formulating the code.
"It is the do and don't aspects of an elected representative. Whether we are in government or just a backbencher, we must abide by these guidelines."
He was responding to a recent viral video which showed DAP assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee berating a group of villagers over the use of a public road in Malacca.
The Pengkalan Batu assemblyman, who is also a state executive councillor in Malacca, has since apologised to the villagers involved.
Chow said that there was no need to haul up Norhizam before a party disciplinary board, as the latter had apologised and the state had also clarified the matter. He was speaking to reporters after opening the state level National Sports Day celebrations at the City Stadium here.
Chow said that only about 40% of Malaysians are actively involved in recreational and sporting activities.
"It should be at least 60% as exercising has proven to help mitigate a range of illnesses suffered by people."
Later, Chow launched the distribution of a loan scheme for petty traders at the Vistana Hotel in Bukit Jambul here.
A total of 306 recipients were identified by state executive councillor Datuk Abdul Halim Hussein as being qualified to borrow between RM1,000 to RM20,000 to start up or improve their small and medium enterprises.
The fund has an allocation of RM12 million for disbursement.