Motion on local council elections shot down
Tony ThienPublished: Jul 27, 2006 8:18 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
An opposition motion calling for the return of local council elections suspended in 1965 in Sarawak was rejected as expected by the BN-controlled state legislative assembly yesterday.
An opposition motion calling for the return of local council elections suspended in 1965 in Sarawak was rejected as expected by the BN-controlled state legislative assembly yesterday.
Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) who tabled the motion said it was time to restore local government elections so councillors would be appointed by the people rather than appointed by the ruling party.
There should be greater transparency, accountability and efficiency, Chong said when introducing the motion which was seconded by Ting Tze Fui (DAP-Meradong).
He said former Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister M Kayveas had once described local councils to be one of the most corrupt.
"We also believe so," he said, giving an example of what he alleged was a glaring case of malpractice among three former Kuching City South councillors who set up a private company to develop a commercial property on a piece of land that previously belonged to the government and which was originally earmarked for a market in Tabuan Jaya, Kuching.
Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah (BN- Asajaya) said Chong should lodge a report to the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) if he had proof against the councillors.
Chong said the DAP raised the issue many times during the recent elections and if Supp had replied to it, they (Supp) might not have lost so many seats.
"The information is all there in the pamphlets that were distributed during the campaign, and the ACA can always act based on that information instead of waiting to receive complaints from members of the public," he added.
Too costly
Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan (right) said the DAP representative must ascertain his facts about wild allegations against members of his party who are councillors about alleged malpractices.
State Local Government Minister Michael Manyin said it would be costly to hold local council elections.
He estimared that based on RM50,000 per ward it would cost about RM30 million to elect about 650 councillors to serve in 26 local councils, including the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and the Commission of Kuching City North.
"Furthermore, if we have elections far too often, people will become bored and, therefore, the turnout will eventually be very low," the minister said, adding that this has been the experiences of other countries, such as Britain.
According to him, the present nominative system of government has proven to be successful, especially in terms of delivery of services and implementation of projects.
Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) who tabled the motion said it was time to restore local government elections so councillors would be appointed by the people rather than appointed by the ruling party. There should be greater transparency, accountability and efficiency, Chong said when introducing the motion which was seconded by Ting Tze Fui (DAP-Meradong).
He said former Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister M Kayveas had once described local councils to be one of the most corrupt.
"We also believe so," he said, giving an example of what he alleged was a glaring case of malpractice among three former Kuching City South councillors who set up a private company to develop a commercial property on a piece of land that previously belonged to the government and which was originally earmarked for a market in Tabuan Jaya, Kuching.
Abdul Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah (BN- Asajaya) said Chong should lodge a report to the Anti Corruption Agency (ACA) if he had proof against the councillors.
Chong said the DAP raised the issue many times during the recent elections and if Supp had replied to it, they (Supp) might not have lost so many seats.
"The information is all there in the pamphlets that were distributed during the campaign, and the ACA can always act based on that information instead of waiting to receive complaints from members of the public," he added.
Too costly
Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan (right) said the DAP representative must ascertain his facts about wild allegations against members of his party who are councillors about alleged malpractices. State Local Government Minister Michael Manyin said it would be costly to hold local council elections.
He estimared that based on RM50,000 per ward it would cost about RM30 million to elect about 650 councillors to serve in 26 local councils, including the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) and the Commission of Kuching City North.
"Furthermore, if we have elections far too often, people will become bored and, therefore, the turnout will eventually be very low," the minister said, adding that this has been the experiences of other countries, such as Britain.
According to him, the present nominative system of government has proven to be successful, especially in terms of delivery of services and implementation of projects.
View Comments0