Bring back local election, says FT DAP chief

Kuala Lumpur DAP chairperson Tan Kok Wai has called for a local election in the capital city to uphold democracy.

The implementation of a local election, he said, will lead to a sustainable capital city - one that practices effective, clean, and people-centric governance.

“As a party that adheres to the struggle and idealism, DAP always cares about the welfare of the people and accountability. It is important that we continue to work towards realising the goal of implementing local democracy.

“We don't need to continue carrying out local elections throughout the country, but we can start in Kuala Lumpur which desperately needs democracy in the process of democratising the administrative system of our nation's capital,” Tan (above) said at the Federal Territory DAP convention held at the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Cheras MP also lauded the administration's decision to move the Federal Territories Ministry under the Prime Minister's Department.

However, he said that whether Kuala Lumpur was under the direct control of the prime minister or Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, the third vote must be returned.

Unfulfilled promises

The last time Malaysia held a local council election was in 1963. The next round, which was supposed to be held the following year, was suspended.

The suspension, which was supposed to be temporary, became permanent in 1976 when Parliament passed the Local Government Act resulting in the abolishment of the local government election altogether and only provided for the appointment of local councillors.

The now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat had pledged to reinstate the local council election during the 2008 and 2013 general elections.

Pakatan Harapan's 14th general election manifesto did not promise to restore local government election but stated that it would “strengthen local democracy” and make local councils more accountable to the people they serve.

It also promised to amend the Local Government Act to reflect these aspirations.

However, following Harapan’s victory in GE14, then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad turned down the request to restore the third vote, arguing that such an election might produce racial strife.