No need for redundant FT ministry, says KL MP

 

DBKL and the federal territories ministry have overlapping roles, says Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng.

PETALING JAYA: Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng says it is the “right move” not to have a federal territories ministry as its functions are redundant.

Speaking to FMT, Lim also noted how the roles of the federal territories minister and the mayor overlap.

“So now that we don’t have a federal territories ministry, we will speak with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about allowing the mayor to be accountable to Kuala Lumpur’s MPs,” he said.

He said this would be in contrast with previous arrangements, whereby the mayor would be accountable to the federal territories minister.

Lim Lip Eng.

The federal territories ministry and the rural development ministry have been combined to become the rural and regional development ministry as part of Anwar’s efforts to have a smaller Cabinet.

Lim pointed out that despite not being included in DAP’s election manifesto, the party had previously sought the abolition of the ministry as well as the reintroduction of local government elections.

“In Kuala Lumpur, there are only three parties – DAP, PKR and Umno.

“So, maybe, the representatives from these parties can meet with the department in charge of appointing the mayor to discuss and reach a consensus,” he said.

M Ali, chairman of the Save Kuala Lumpur Coalition (SKL), agreed that the federal territories ministry had redundant functions and should be “put on hold” to save costs and avoid duplication of functions.

“City Hall (DBKL) and the federal territories land and mines office must be accountable to the people of Kuala Lumpur.

“DBKL should be made accountable to Parliament until local government elections are implemented, and election of the mayor and councillors is in place,” he said.

SKL is made up of Kuala Lumpur residents advocating for sustainable growth and development.

The federal territories ministry was established in 1979 as a planning and development coordinator for Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley.

It was abolished in 1987 when the federal territories development division took over the role of the ministry, but was revived in 2004 by then prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi with the main aim of overseeing Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan.

In 2013, the role of the federal territories ministry was then redirected to planning, development, and well-being in the federal territories. - FMT