Unity govt quest for transparency ended after polls win

In 1992, the government acquired the land under a row of single-storey houses in the SS1 area in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. This site is now where the Taman Bahagia LRT station is situated.

It was an acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act (1960). Under the act, the state authority can compulsorily acquire land, which must be for a public purpose.

Thus, even if the land sought to be acquired is needed by say, a public utility company or a highway concessionaire, they would not be able to commence the process or acquire it themselves.

Instead, they are compelled to apply to the state government to acquire the land on its behalf, thereby ensuring some measure of control by the state.

When the state approves the proposed acquisition, the state authority will cause a declaration of the proposed acquisition to be published in the state gazette.

The publication date will determine compensation, as the market value of the land is to be assessed at that date.

At the same time, in nearby Section 14, a group of owners of million-ringgit houses were not affected but complained loudly that the alignment of the tracks was too close to their homes.

At that time, I wrote something along these lines: “If the people of London had objected to trains running below their homes, the underground rail system would never have been built.”

A similar objection was filed by some residents of Taman Tun Dr Ismail about eight years ago over the construction of elevated MRT tracks in front of their homes. They wanted them to be re-aligned across the main road.

Syndrome

Last week, this “not in my backyard” syndrome struck again.

A group protested against Rawang’s proposed waste-to-energy incinerator plant based on perceived dangers to nearby residents.

The fact that such incinerators were built worldwide and posed no danger was conveniently ignored.

I have to disagree with Selayang MP William Leong who said the group was not against having an incinerator in general but opined that Batu Arang was not the right place for one.

If not Batu Arang, where else?

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari

But, rightly, he called on Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and the state government to release the reports of studies conducted on the proposed plant.

Residents, he said, had the right to know the outcome of studies carried out by the government to place this incinerator.

“If it is safe, then the people can be reassured. But where is the reassurance that the homework has been done?” he asked.

So, I have to add my name to the chorus of people asking for transparency and for all reports related to the project to be made public.

Secretive

Why is the government at all levels – federal, state, and local authorities – being so secretive on projects that affect the people?

Let’s for a moment forget Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s prophetic words on assuming office: “We will never compromise on good governance, the anti-corruption drive, judicial independence and the welfare of ordinary Malaysians.”

As an immediate response, the G25 group of ex-senior civil servants said all major political parties had in their election campaigns made a pledge to introduce reforms if they became the government.

“The time has now come for the politicians in power to deliver on their election manifestos with regard to institutional reforms for a clean and open government with transparency and accountability.

“This is to ensure checks and balances especially in spending public money and in awarding projects and concessions to contractors and suppliers.”

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

But eight months into the formation of the unity government, we seem to be regressing on openness.

Transparency and accountability are the cornerstones of good governance. And we cannot escape from the fact that a well-informed public should be allowed to decide what is good or bad for them.

The government perhaps has forgotten its pre-election promises and its manifesto on being open.

In a previous column, I asked the questions: “Is transparency only applicable when you spend less than your predecessor and do our MPs stop demanding accountability when they join the government bench?

“Nga Kor Ming, Anthony Loke, Rafizi Ramli, et al never missed the opportunity to show lapses in the administration and the expenses that came with them.

“The expenses of the government and its leaders were then continuously questioned.

“These days, now that they are in the cabinet, their silence on similar matters is deafening. Their zeal and enthusiasm for transparency and accountability seem to have waned.”

Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information (State of Selangor) Enactment 2011 exists in name only.

Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) prevented media coverage of an objection hearing for its 2021-2035 draft local plan.

More recently, residents requested information on the now-cancelled Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link (PJD Link) and were compelled to seek legal address to get details.

So, here is a request from an MP from the government who is speaking on behalf of his electorate.

What is so secretive that Amirudin and the state exco are so reluctant to release the reports?

Were there shortcomings or admonitions in the reports that the government does not want the people to know? Or is it that the costs have been inflated for the benefit of a chosen few?

Anyway, judging from the foot-dragging and elegant silence from the MB, the Rawang residents may extract the reports through the courts. Then, the cat will be out of the bag. - Mkini

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R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.