No conflict of interest in Sundarajoo's appointment - Chow

GEORGETOWN - There is no conflict of interest issue in the appointment of Perai State Assemblyman, Datuk Seri S Sundarajoo, as the State Executive Councillor for Housing and Environment.

Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow, stated that Sundarajoo no longer holds any positions or interests in property development companies.

Instead, Chow mentioned that Sundarajoo's experience and expertise in housing development can be an asset to the state government, particularly in development of the state.

"As far as I know, he (Sundarajoo) is no longer a director or holds any positions in property development companies, and it is understood that he only has a small shareholding.

"We can see his decades of experience in the field of housing development as an asset to understand this issue from the perspective of developers, and there is a technical viewpoint from the government's side in his selection for this position," he said during a press conference here today.

He was speaking after attending the ceremony for the appointment letters and swearing-in of the members of the State Government Meeting Council (MMK), which took place in front of the Penang Governor, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak, at the Dewan Sri Pinang, here.

Further elaborating, Kon Yeow, who is also the Padang Kota State Assemblyman, stated that all appointed MMK members are not allowed to have any business interests, as stipulated by the state's laws.

"It is very clear when the law says that no executive councillor holding this position is allowed to have business interests anymore.

"Therefore, I believe all appointed executive councillors must and will comply with this requirement," he added.

Sundarajoo, who contested in the recent state election for the first time, won with a majority of 9,139 votes, defeating three other candidates with a total of 10,680 votes in Perai.

It is understood that Sundarajoo served as the Chief Operating Officer of Eco World Development Group Bhd before entering politics.

Meanwhile, Sundarajoo when approached, mentioned that after 37 years in the corporate and property development world, he had decided to retire before being offered the opportunity by DAP to contest in the recent state election.

"I never expected or anticipated this appointment...Perhaps, I was chosen based on my previous developer background.

"When I made the decision to enter politics and offer my services to the people, I no longer hold any positions or interests in any business," he said.

On his plans, Sundarajoo mentioned that he intends to increase the number of affordable and low-cost homes further in the Seberang Perai area.