GEORGE TOWN: Datuk Baldev Singh Gurchan Singh has declined his appointment as the Penang Appeals Board chairman.
Deputy Chief Minister ll Jagdeep Singh Deo said Baldev had declined the post after concerns were raised over the appointment amid allegations of nepotism.
The senior lawyer was proposed to head the board, which was set-up under the state's Freedom of Information Enactment 2010.
The Penang state assembly passed a motion on Thursday (May 30) to appoint a six-member board headed by Baldev, which was unanimously passed.
However, controversy erupted when a political party questioned Baldev's appointment as he is Jagdeep's father-in-law.
"It is extremely important to clarify that this appointment was made based solely on merit and the extensive contributions Baldev, 79, made throughout his illustrious career," said Jagdeep in a statement on Sunday (June 2).
"He brings over 60 years of distinguished experience as a lawyer, one of the longest serving and his unwavering commitment to charitable work," he said.
Jagdeep said the nomination was unanimously agreed in the state assembly as Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and the state excos know that Baldev is held in high regard within the legal community.
The newly-formed Indian-based party Urimai on Saturday (June 1) questioned the appointment, saying it smacks of nepotism and asked why it was passed without any deliberations in the assembly.
Urimai secretary-general Satees Muniandy also asked if there were no other suitable candidates other than the Deputy Chief Minister's father-in-law.
When asked when a new chairman would be appointed, Jagdeep said "soonest".
