Penang Appeals Board chairman designate turns down appointment

Lawyer Datuk Baldev Singh Gurchan Singh has turned down the appointment to be Penang Appeals Board chairman.

Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo said that the veteran lawyer turned down the appointment following allegations of nepotism was raised by a political party Urimai.

Baldev 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,” Jagdeep said in a statement.

The Penang state assembly unanimously passed a motion on May 30 to appoint six members, led by Baldev into the Penang Appeals Board.

The board was set up under the Freedom of Information Enactment 2010 to be the body where rejected applications for information can be referred and addressed.