Local Council Polls Call Not Wrong But Unnecessary Reezal

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The call by Federal Territories DAP chief Tan Kok Wai to reinstate local council election is not wrong, but unnecessary and not a priority for now.
According to former housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican, he would prefer the funds be used to improve the people's well-being and the maintenance of key facilities.
"The local council election issue attracted my attention, especially since I answered oral questions on this in Parliament on Dec 8, 2021, when I helmed the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
"In principle, I remain consistent that there is no need for us to talk about local council election, especially when issues that concern the well-being of the people should be prioritised," the Umno leader said in a statement today.
He was responding to Tan’s suggestion to restore the local council election, starting with Kuala Lumpur, to give locals a democratic say in how the nation’s capital is run.
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 the government.
Federal Territories DAP chief Tan Kok WaiElaborating, Reezal (above), who is also Bertam assemblyperson, questioned whether democracy did not thrive without local council election.
"Democracy and check and balance can be achieved without local council election. This is because, in local council appointments, certain quotas can be set to ensure that different parties can be part of the council's administration.
"Current representation at local governments is sufficient. For example, 75 percent of councillors in Selangor are political party candidates while the remaining 25 percent are from NGOs.
"Such a model guarantees that check and balance can still be carried out by professionals - free from political interests," Reezal opined.
A costly affair
Carrying out local council election can also be a costly affair, noted Reezal, adding that the funds are better used for other initiatives that benefit the rakyat.
"In Malaysia, we have 155 local governments, including four agencies empowered as local councils. Of these, 132 are at municipal and district council levels.
"On average, each local council election can cost up to RM3 million to be implemented. This means, if enforced, the polls can cost up to half a billion ringgit and would have a considerable impact on local governments that fall under the municipal and district council categories," stressed Reezal.
"In comparison, the allocation for the Local Government Development Ministry in Budget 2024 is RM5.6 billion. If local council election is implemented, it would cost up to 10 percent of this limited allocation," he pointed out.
Reezal stated the people are already experiencing political fatigue, which is evident in the poor turnout rate in recent by-elections.
Therefore, even if the local council election is reinstated, it would not reflect the expectations and aspirations of the people, he said.
Reezal, who is also the chairperson of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), said it was more crucial for the functions of local authorities to be strengthened instead.
"Local councils' performance is important as it directly impacts the people, regardless whether its administrative members are elected or appointed.
"The implementation of local council election is not a necessity, let alone a priority. The country's democracy has not become 'clumsy' nor infertile without it.
"What matters more is streamlining local councils' services to meet the needs and wishes of the people, particularly in increasing the liveability as well as stimulating various socio-economic activities for the citizens."
-  Mkini

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