MCA which had been requesting for representation in the Advisory Council of Labuan Corporation (LC) since its establishment in 2001, has finally got its wish.MCA Chairman Ching Hong Vui, along with Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) Chairman Peter Mark, are among five new faces in the Council.
They have been appointed on a one-year term.
Initially in the earlier years of LC the appointments were for three years but was reduced to two and now to one. According to some, the short term was due to the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing looking into the possibility of expanding the Council members to nine from the present six, including the Chairman.
Since the LC was established and took over the duties of Labuan Development Authority (LDA) and the subsequent disbanding of Labuan Municipal Council, a number of requests had been made by various parties for the Advisory Council to have 14 members.
The numbers now considered is nine or seven.
It is also for the first time in the history of the council that as many as five new faces are among new appointments. The others are said to be Umno Secretary, Raziman Datuk Isli Siput, Chinese Chamber of Commerce President Wong Kii Hii and another a woman who would replace the sole woman representative in the Coucil (Fauziah Datuk Din).
The only councillor said to be retained is Chairman of the National Malay Chamber of Commerce, Datuk Haji Yussof Mohammed.
The Ministry usually has new faces in the Council to provide opportunities to all those nominated to serve.
The council is a high profile post. Its proceedings, however, are hardly transparent and many held the belief that the councilors are under a gag rule as their voices or opinions are seldom heard outside the Council room.
It is hoped that the new councilors would help erase public thinking that it acts as a "rubber stamp" role.
Councilors also enjoy certain perks annually such as all expenses paid study overseas.
Last year the Councilors went to Perth, Australia.
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