Fahmi slams Taki for questioning IIUM's role in KL mayoral polls study

 

Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil slammed opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan for purportedly questioning International Islamic University Malaysia's (IIUM) competence in conducting a feasibility study on mayoral polls in Kuala Lumpur.

Fahmi claimed that Takiyuddin (above, right) was looking down on IIUM, despite the university having produced leaders not only for Malaysia, but also for other countries.

"A secretary-general for a party that has lorries of prime ministerial candidates, but he has such an attitude. To me, it's a very ugly attitude to have," the Lembah Pantai MP told a press conference at his ministry in Putrajaya this evening.

The comment was a jab at Takiyuddin's party PAS, which has yet to declare a prime ministerial candidate for the next general election.

Yesterday, Takiyuddin questioned why IIUM was chosen over other “senior universities”, such as Universiti Malaya or Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.

"Why IIUM? We'd rather not mention this, but there are certain things we know are happening behind the scenes.

"It's good enough, but we want to know - why choose IIUM?" he told a press conference in Parliament.

Study not yet done

Commenting further, Fahmi said there was nothing to decide on as the study has yet to be completed.

Hannah Yeoh

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh had merely provided the cabinet with a verbal notification of the study, not a presentation, he added.

"It's too early for us to discuss this issue," he said.

On Tuesday, Yeoh said IIUM's findings will be brought to the cabinet once the study has been concluded.

“Don’t be scared, the study is being carried out by IIUM. It’s a reputable university. The study isn’t being carried out by DAP,” she said.

Last Sunday (Feb 1), she said she had instructed her office to conduct a study into the feasibility of mayoral elections in KL, as it would be more practical than electing multiple city councillors through local council polls.

The local council election, particularly in the capital, has long been a contentious issue.

At present, Kuala Lumpur and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) are under federal control, with the city administered by a government-appointed mayor.

Critics have argued that this structure concentrates power in the hands of the mayor, with limited checks and balances compared to other local councils.

However, right-wing Malay-based political parties have long opposed the local council election, claiming it would erode Malay power in urban areas where non-Malays are the majority. - Mkini