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The DAP calls for an en bloc stepping down of councilors   Press Statement by M Kula Segaran (Ipoh, Friday): The news is that the Datuk Bandar of Ipoh is stepping down today presumably on a “promotive” transfer. The fact is that the Datuk Bandar and the Dewan Bandaraya Ipoh had been under tremendous pressure from the Democratic Action Party on a wide range of issues amongst others garbage collection, lack of diesel for DBI lorries, late payment of wages for DBI workers, issuing summonses on hand holding couples, over charging of rubbish collection fees etc. The list keeps going on.  The “stepping down” of the Datuk Bandar is not the complete solution and answer to the problems faced by the council. As we all know the Datuk Bandar is assisted by a set of “esteemed” appointed councilors from a throng of political parties. Now the people of Ipoh want to know what happens to these “esteemed” appointed councilors from a throng of political parties? Do they still linger around despite the fact that they have performed below expectations and are equally responsible for the BLUNDERS after BLUNDERS created by the Dewan Bandaraya? They must be man enough to share the shame and blame of an unproductive and poorly managed council which can only think of creating funds thru her very own people she should be providing service to. Who are these councilors and what have they done for the people of Ipoh and why should they not step down are questions the people of Ipoh want to know. Have they even played any role is the question and since they were part of a team that created a continuous flow of BLUNDERS they must resign en bloc.   What are their REMUNERATION from the council? The people of Ipoh do not want an unproductive team of councilors sitting as “esteemed” appointed councilors from a throng of political parties at the expense of the rate payers of Ipoh. The DAP will be the voice of the people of Ipoh and will continuously scrutinize the EFFECTIVE role to be played hopefully by these “esteemed” appointed councilors from a throng of political parties the key word being “effective role”.   The DAP and the people of Ipoh will no longer tolerate such an inept council which still provides a bus service in Ipoh similar or worse that the service we had in the 70s. This will be our next tirade with the council on behalf of the people of Ipoh.   We welcome the next Datuk Bandar of Ipoh but do not take up the post unless if you are willing to service the people of Ipoh and solve her problems for be forewarned that the people of Ipoh and the DAP will take no nonsense any longer.     (16/4/2004) * M Kula Segaran, DAP Acting Secretary General and MP for Ipoh Barat