PRESS RELEASE: Bring back election to local government
Friday, 03 November 2006 04:45pm
The nation has in the past week been absorbed by the exposé of misdeeds of a few members of the Klang Municipal Council, involving breaches of the law and alleged instances of abuse of power. Such exposé, far from being detrimental to the spirit of reform that the present Government promises to instill, is in fact consonant with the desire to foster a more transparent and accountable administration.
There can of course be more than one possible reason why such misdeeds have occurred. It could be that the offender was ignorant, negligent, or simply poorly organized. Or it could be, as many Malaysians are wondering, part of an unhealthy culture of some persons in positions of power that they who are powerful need not worry too much about the law that applies strictly to others, and the belief that their positions of influence will be able to help them resolve any problems that may arise.
Be it a matter of attribute or attitude, its possession renders one unsuitable as a representative of the people.
The transgressions that have so far been unearthed are serious in nature, and must be fully investigated in an accountable manner. If substantiated, stern action must be taken. A strong message must be sent to all, that the unhealthy culture that many Malaysians believe exist will become a thing of the past. This is especially so if the present Government wishes to truly set itself apart from the previous.
Many Malaysians, too, wonder how many more similar instances of breaches and abuse have occurred or are occurring all over the country, that have yet to be uncovered. This badly affects the confidence of the people in our system of public administration.
Confidence needs to be restored. The present system of appointment of councillors to local governments and the current manner of administration of local governments cannot continue, for they have been shown to have been manifestly abused. It is time that the Government brings back the system of election of city and town councillors. This is a necessary measure, practised in many jurisdictions, that provides for direct accountability. Its restoration and implementation should not be delayed.
Among other things, all Councillors should be required to annually declare on oath their assets and their families’ assets; and to affirm that they have paid all taxes, rates and other statutory payments payable by them.
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News/Notices 
The nation has in the past week been absorbed by the exposé of misdeeds of a few members of the Klang Municipal Council, involving breaches of the law and alleged instances of abuse of power. Such exposé, far from being detrimental to the spirit of reform that the present Government promises to instill, is in fact consonant with the desire to foster a more transparent and accountable administration.
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