SHAH ALAM: Selangor Opposition chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali wants to know if the state government will appoint professionals as councillors in line with Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's recommendation.

       Azmin (PN- Hulu Kelang) also wanted to know the state government's position on Sultan Sharafuddin's suggestion that 50% of local councillors comprise professionals.

       "When will the Selangor government issue a circular adhering to the Selangor Sultan's advice?" he asked during debate time at the state assembly sitting on Wednesday (Feb 28).

       His Royal Highness first made the suggestion during a special interview with The Star in December, and then in his royal address during the proclamation of Klang as a royal city on Feb 5.

       ALSO READ: Half of Klang council members should be professionals, says Selangor Ruler

       Sultan Sharafuddin also mentioned the same matter in the royal address on Tuesday (Feb 27) during the opening of the state assembly's new term.

       Sultan Sharafuddin had said that the councils needed a balance.

       StarPicks

       GLENEAGLES HOSPITAL JOHOR NURTURES HEALTHCARE TALENTS IN THE STATE

       "There isn't a need to put just about anyone there (as councillors) to please incumbent assemblymen," the Sultan had said.

       Responding to Azmin, Datuk Ng Suee Lim (PH-Sekinchan), the local government and tourism committee chairman, said the state would have to fine-tune the list of councillors based on appropriateness and individual background.

       "The term 'professional' goes beyond doctors and lawyers.

       "They can come from other (occupations) including business and management as well," said Ng.

       ALSO READ: Selangor Ruler calls on civil servants to cut red tape and improve service to public

       However, Azmin insisted on knowing if the state would adhere to Sultan Sharafuddin's request.

       "Is the state government going to implement this? Yes or no? And when?" he asked.

       Ng replied that the state government would do so, but not immediately.

       "Yes, we will. Don't worry.

       "We are not rushing into it," he said.

       Ng also said that 90% of councillor positions had already been filled.

       "Only 23 positions are left," he said.