'Association was meant for BN reps' wives' - NST

BUTTERWORTH: April 30, 2008

Pertubuhan Bunga Tanjung (PBT), the association of wives of Barisan Nasional assemblymen and MPs in the State, was dissolved last month and the RM590,665 in its coffers donated to charitable organisations.

Its former president Puan Sri Chui Kah Peng said PBT was dissolved on March 9 during its annual general meeting attended by 45 members, who represented three-fifths of its membership.

According to Chui, as a non-governmental organisation, the issue on the need for them to vacate their posts following BN's defeat in the state did not arise.

Chui, the wife of former chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, said the association was formed for the wives of BN representatives.

In a statement yesterday, Chui said Article 5 of the PBT Constitution stated that members were to be made up of wives of assemblymen and MPs of Penang, except for those from the Opposition.

"Hence, it is clear that at the time of formation in 1992, PBT was meant for BN representatives' wives and had an affiliation with Bakti (the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers) at the federal level," she said.

Chui, who was one of the founding members of PBT in 1992, said the members had decided that after BN's loss to Pakatan Rakyat, the association would not be able to carry out its objectives in the spirit in which it was founded.

She said the meeting also agreed to donate RM220,000 to the Bureau on Learning Difficulties at its Bold-Bunga Tanjung Centre in Seberang Perai, RM350,000 to Bakti and the balance to the Penang Cheshire Home, Mental Health Association of Penang and Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital.

Chui said following the unanimous decision to dissolve PBT, the committee proceeded to submit the relevant documents to the Registrar of Societies.

Her statement came after Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng ordered State financial officer Datuk Supiah Md Yusof to look into PBT's status and financial records.