Councillors 'missing' in Bangkok

By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
MANAMA: Twenty municipal councillors have reportedly gone AWOL in Bangkok, Thailand, instead of returning to work in Bahrain.
Twenty-five councillors went on an official visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last week, but only five returned, a top municipal source told the GDN.
The rest booked tickets to Bangkok where they are on an unscheduled vacation - even though they were supposed to be back at work on Saturday.
They apparently informed the council chairmen.
"The councillors were given BD2,200 each by the government for their (Malaysia) trip, but instead of returning home they are still abroad, which means that many files still remain pending," said the official.
"The councils haven't received any holiday request from these councillors yet, which means they are out of work without any genuine reason - something that will be dealt with seriously when they come back."
The trip was already controversial because it took place so close to the end of the councillors' term.