CAUGHT in an embarrassing controversy for accepting awards from a dubious international organisation, Penang’s two local councils have been reminded to be more careful from where they receive recognition.

Local government exco Chow Kon Yeow said the state administration regretted the incident, as reported by the local media and splashed across the front page of a Chinese daily today.

The Oxford-based European Business Assembly (EBA) presented the councils with “Best Municipality Award” and “Best Municipal Manager” a few years ago, but it was recently reported in the UK Daily Mail that the EBA, on its website, advertised opportunities to receive recognition and invited people to apply for non-affiliated awards for up to £9,300 (RM51,900).

Chow reminded Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and Seberang Prai Municipal Council (MPSP) to focus on delivering quality service, because the people’s satisfaction was the best form of recognition.

He said it was undeniable that both councils had been performing well and had received many awards and recognitions from federal ministries, departments, institutions, professional bodies and accreditation agencies.

“We applaud them for their achievements including the five-star rating for local authorities from the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

“We hope that the leadership at the local councils have learned a lesson from this unfortunate episode and will be more discerning and careful when nominated for such awards,” he said in a statement today.

Earlier today, Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad of Barisan Nasional also raised concerns about the credibility of EBA and its awards.

He said he found articles like an August 2013 report in the Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIN) website that highlighted the alleged “purchased EBA awards” and the lucrative business behind it.

The article revealed that the City of Belgrade won the “Best City” award while its mayor Dragan Dilas was presented the “Manager of the Year” award in a ceremony in Dublin in July 2012.

The mayor of Belgrade reportedly paid close to €11,000 (RM54,900) as a “participation fee” for the EBA ceremony, using city funds.

“MBPP and then mayor Patahiyah Ismail also received similar awards,” Farid said, citing a March 2013 report in The Star that Patahiyah was presented the “Best Municipal Manager” and MBPP the “Best Municipality Award” by the EBA in a ceremony in Switzerland.

He said in July 2014, MPSP and then council president Maimunah Mohd Sharif also “won” the same awards at an EBA ceremony in Italy.

Following the media exposure, Farid said the Penang government that practised competency, accountability and transparency must explain to the people if MBPP and MPSP also paid money to EBA for the awards.

“Was taxpayers’ money spent on these awards? Did they pay money to a bogus organisation for international awards to show off the DAP-led Penang government as the best administration?

“It is also rather surprising for two local councils from the same state in Malaysia winning the same awards from the same international organisation two years in a row,” he said.

Farid said this was like buying degrees sold by online universities, and if it was true, then it would be embarrassing for Penangites. – July 26, 2017.