Saying one thing and doing another

I'm amazed by some people.

In the Metro section of The Star today, the Selangor MB made the following proclamation:-

there will be no more unnecessary events and dinners, no more functions at luxury hotels - not at the public's expense anyway.

This was in response to the developed State's audited reports which showed financial losses largely due to:-

dishonesty, expenditure exceeding allocation and purchases made without following correct procedure.

He further said:-

To strengthen financial accountability, it is our collective duty to ensure that every sen collected from the public is spent judiciously, economically, expertly and effectively without wastage.

Such noble words indeed.

Do you really think with the above admirable position of the MB, the MBSA's proposed Europe trip is going to hang in the balance?

Not from the tone of the MBSA corporate dept director Asmah Mohd Zain who admitted that there was indeed a plan for the annual overseas trip this year although the details have yet to be finalised. After all, they do need to get the "permission from the state authority" for the 40 or so heads of dept, senior officers and councillors to go on the week-long trip.

And I presume the state authority who will finally give the green light would be the MB who has called for a "cut in govt spending" today. I wonder how much this will cost the rate-payers, assuming that the State govt found an economical and judicious way to justify every sen spent on this yet another "lawatan sambil belajar" trip.

This ought to be really embarrassing because in today's The SUN, it was further revealed by Citizen Nades that Selangor Executive Council members have been provided with "infra-red cameras costing thousands of ringgit, a flak jacket, and perhaps allowances" so that they can help "improve services within local councils" by taking photographs of clogged drains, potholes and illegal dumpsites as evidence of inaction towards public complaints.

I suppose they really DO need such expensive high-tech cameras to go with their high-society lifestyle in the exclusive gated Exco Village, all courtesy of the residents of the developed state. But duplicating a job function by spying and reporting on someone for not doing his or her job? These Exco members must have lots of free time on their hands and nothing better to do.

Is it any wonder why the State govt's audited reports showed financial loss?

As a fellow blogger says, "Cakap Tak Serupa Bikin".

Update: This is another public opinion of a disgusted rate-payer against the "Little Napoleans" of local councils.