A forum on the future of Petaling Jaya (PJ) turned into a grousing session when local residents aired their dissatisfaction towards the PJ city council (MBPJ).

On the receiving end was PJ Selatan parliamentarian Donald Lim Siang Chai, who is also deputy tourism minister.

The MCA politician was interrupted numerous times during his opening address at the 'PJ community leaders - hardtalk' forum yesterday.

The volley of questions led Lim to deviate from his prepared speech to an impromptu one.

Among the issues raised was to restore local council elections. Residents argued that if elected, the council would do its duties effectively since appointed representatives 'behaved like kings'.

"We have to beg them and write to them (to do their work),"complained a disgruntled resident.

No answer

However, Lim said he did not have an answer for the problems and instead urged the residents to get the ball rolling.

"Discuss it among yourselves and we can follow up. Basically what I want to say is that policy issue is a political decision. I have got no say. Even if you ask me, I'm sorry I can't give you an answer.

"I cannot teach you how to start (to get local elections restored), you all have to come up with your own opinions," he added, much to the disappointment of those present.

However, he ensured that there will be initiatives by the government to have an avenue for the residents to voice their complaints.

"Something will be done about the local council. You just need to be patient for a short while. There will be somewhere that you can complain to. You can take my word for it that something is coming up," he said.

The last time that MPBJ (previously known as MPPJ) had an election was during the 1960s.

Currently the appointed local council is not only unrepresentative but also invited numerous accusations of rampant corruption, lack of transparency and poor up-keeping services.

Furthermore, MBPJ has come under immense scrutiny after refusing full disclosure of their accounts and their decision to award a multimillion ringgit contract to a billboard company.

Meanwhile, those at the forum also aired the grouses against the poor rubbish collection system by Alam Flora, the lack of bus services, squatter problems, security matters and traffic problems.

The forum was organised by the Petaling Jaya Residents Association (Pejra).