Urban Well-being, Housing and Local Government Minister Abdul Rahman Dahlan's statement on local elections is regressive and exposes the BN government's lack of commitment to reform, charged Kampung Tunku assemblyperson Lau Weng San.

"Abdul Rahman fails to understand the concept of ‘no taxation without representation' in a democratic society...

"His statement seems to show that he still believes in ‘government knows all' although it is outdated now," the DAP representative said in a statement today.

NONELau (right) was responding to the minister's statement on Monday that local elections are unnecessary and potentially counterproductive, saying that there are other means of improving a local government's performance.

While conceding that local elections do not provide a magic bullet, Lau argued the process of democratisation is still important for the people.

"The government could set stricter conditions so that councillors or district chiefs have higher qualifications, but ultimately it is the people who would decide who best represents them in local governments, not political leaders," he said.

He also quoted a Royal Commission of Inquiry in 1970 emphasising that "democracy with efficiency is always more desirable and better than efficiency without democracy" in recommending that local elections be restored.

Malaysia has held local elections since 1955, but was stopped indefinitely in 1964 because of the Indonesian confrontation.

Meanwhile, Penang is engaged in a legal battle, pushing for the return of local polls.