IPOH: A paraplegic and an Orang Asli created history when they were sworn in as local councillors for the Hilir Perak and Kuala Kangsar municipalities respectively.

Society of Chinese Disabled Persons Malaysia president Kennedy Hong Chuan Lee, 42, and Sudin Uda, 38, a community leader, were among 338 councillors who took their oaths here yesterday.

Hong, who was also the Special People Association of Teluk Intan chairman, said the disabled had been neglected in many aspects and he wanted to ensure they were treated equally.

"I will use the associations as a platform to gather information and create a network so that their grievances can be raised with the relevant authorities," said the wheelchair-bound who was paralysed from the waist down four years ago.

Sudin, from Kampung Landap in Sungai Siput, said the appointment provided him with the opportunity to raise the problems faced by his community.
"Currently, there is no proper forum for Orang Asli folk to voice out their grievances," he added.

Of those sworn in, 110 were from the public and non-governmental organisations, 104 from DAP, 70 from Parti Keadilan Rakyat and 54 from Pas.

They were led in taking their oaths by Perak Real Estate and Housing Developers' Association (Rehda) chairman Datuk Francis Lee.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, state Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman Nga Kor Ming and state secretary Datuk Abdul Rahman Hashim witnessed the event.

Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran was also appointed a councillor for the Ipoh City Council.

Mohammad Nizar, who spoke to reporters later, said those not appointed as councillors should not feel disappointed as the term of office of those selected would expire by year end.

"We will monitor their performance and make the necessary adjustments if the need arises," he said in response to several memoranda submitted to the state government by organisations which were disappointed after their representatives were not selected.

Earlier in his speech, Mohammad Nizar, asked the councillors to stay clear of corrupt practices, abuse of power and disciplinary problems, and use their expertise to serve the public effectively.