'Governance of strata properties more urgent than local council polls'

 

There are more basic matters that need to be prioritised including governance of strata properties, instead of discussions on reintroducing the local council election in Kuala Lumpur, said Dr Zaliha Mustafa.

The minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) said she noted various views on issues surrounding the revival of the local council election, however, it is not at the top of her list.

"I take note and receive all proposals and suggestions from various parties.

"But policy matters such as the implementation of the local council election require further discussions before any decisions are made,” she told Malaysiakini.

"A more basic policy on the issue of local councils includes appointing committees and administration of joint management bodies or management corporations for strata properties in the Federal Territories.

"Basic matters such as this must be prioritised before we further discuss local council election," she added.

Yesterday, Federal Territories DAP chief Tan Kok Wai suggested restoring the local council election, starting with Kuala Lumpur, to give locals a democratic say in how the capital city is run.

At present, Kuala Lumpur only has MPs, and the federal government runs Kuala Lumpur City Hall.

Tan's suggestion prompted outcries not only from Perikatan Nasional but also Umno through the party's supreme council, veteran and youth wings. Umno is DAP's ally in government.

DAP’s Tan Kok Wai

Earlier today, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said he had spoken to Zaliha on the matter, and that she should be given time to consider such a proposal.

Abolished in 1976

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 temporary suspension 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 in 2018 did not promise to restore local government elections 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.

During the 2022 general election, Harapan pledged to let KL-ites have a democratic say in how the Kuala Lumpur City Hall is run, but stopped short of pledging local council election outright. - Mkini