Council won’t shy away from awards
> We’ll now be more cautious in taking part in global contests: Mayor
BUKIT MERTAJAM: The Seberang Perai Municipal Council (MPSP) will continue to participate in international awards contests despite controversy on the so-called “vanity awards” given to the council by the Europe Business Assembly (EBA).
The council’s newly appointed president Datuk Rozali Mohamud ( pix) said they would continue to take part in such contests, but would heed the advice of state Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation exco Chow Kon Yeow to be more cautious.
“We have decided to take part in the Wego (World eGovernments Organisation of Cities and Local Governments) competition.
“The competition is held annually and it is free. We do not have to pay any entry fee,” he told a press conference.
On July 24, it was reported that EBA was generating millions of pounds by selling fake University of Oxford awards and certificates.
Researchers from two non-government organisations wrote in a 2014 report that such organisations sent solicitation letters to companies and government agencies around the world, telling them that they had been nominated for various awards. “Anyone who replies, shows interest and agrees to pay, gets an award,” the report stated. The now retired Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor, Datuk Patahiyah Ismail, was awarded the Best Municipal Manager award while the council was given the Best Municipality Award in 2013. A year later, MPSP received the Best City award while its then president Datuk Maimunah Mohd Sharif won the Best Municipal Manager award. Maimunah is now MBPP mayor.