Putrajaya trying to exert power over state matters, say opposition

Pakatan Rakyat today claimed that the federal government was trying to encroach into the powers of state governments by introducing a committee similar to the local council in states.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, when tabling the 2014 budget last month, announced an allocation of RM63 million to set up Residents Representatives Committees (JPP) in 24 zones in every local council.

He questioned the prime minister's move, pointing out that the functions of the JPP were exactly the same as those of local governments.

"This is like a shadow council. It shows the federal government is slowly trying to take over the power from the state governments, in particular Pakatan Rakyat-led states," he said at the Parliament lobby.

"We in PR object to this as we see it as Putrajaya trying to exert its power over state matters.”

Kota Bharu MP Datuk Wan Abdul Rahim Wan Abdullah, who was also present at the press conference, argued that setting up the JPP was a violation of the Federal Constitution.

"Under the Constitution, local government falls under the jurisdiction of the state.

"Act 172 of the Local Government Act 1976 clearly states that the state government has the right to appoint 25 local councillors," Wan Abdul Rahim said.

Calling it a "political move", he added that the RM63 million was a waste of public funds.

"If the government is serious about helping the people, then the money should be given to the existing local councils to use for the betterment of the states," he stressed.

Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is Ampang MP, was convinced that setting up the JPP was the government's way of “creating positions and salaries” for those who supported them in the last election.

Last week, Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan was quoted as saying that 148 JPP will be set up nationwide beginning January next year, to increase coordination and well-being, particularly in urban areas.

He said the JPP will be set up within all city halls, municipal councils, and district councils nationwide except in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.