A Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) member is not happy with the federal government for denying Penangites the opportunity to vote their local representatives into the third echelon of government.

MPPP councillor Ong Ah Teong asked if Local Government Minister Chor Chee Heung was more powerful that the courts to declare the enactment on local elections invalid.

Ong said it appears that Chor, an MCA leader, was “more powerful” than the court when he announced the invalidity of local elections in Penang in Parliament yesterday.

“Chor has gone overboard and disrespects the court when he made the announcement yesterday,” Ong said in a press conference after conducting a check at the Gurney Plaze shopping mall on private carpark safety guidelines.

“Chor does not understand what democracy is and wants Penangites to live in a state that is devoid of democracy without having their wishes fulfilled as far as the third vote (local council elections) is concerned,” he added.

He was referring to Chor’s statement in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the Penang enactment was null and void as Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976 superseded the Local Government Act 1960 and all laws or enactments on local council elections.

NONE Chor added that according to Article 75 of the federal constitution, any state law that conflicts with federal law is automatically annulled.

However, state executive councillor on local government Chow Kon Yeow ( left ) said the federal government cannot arbitrarily declare Penang’s Local Government Elections Enactment as null and void without taking the matter to court.

He added that Section 15 of the Local Government Act 1976, which ceases the effect of all local government elections provisions, does not apply in Penang following a gazette notification.

‘Penangites want third vote’

Meanwhile, Ong said Penangites will defend their right to the third vote with the proper court process instead of mere pronouncements from the minister.

“Will Chor compel the people of Penang to reject local government elections which are free and fair if the court allows it?” he queried.

“Will Chor prevent Penangites from taking part in local elections to determine their local councillors if the people want it?” he further asked.

Ong said local government elections is one of Pakatan Rakyat’s election pledges and the state is ready to see it fulfilled according to the people’s wishes.

He urged Chor not to be the “stumbling block” to stall Penangites from exercising their democratic rights to free and fair elections.