GEORGE TOWN: Housing and Local Government Ministry is proposing to extend local councillors' service term to five year, similar to the tenure for elected representatives.
Its Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said the existing one to two-year service period was insufficient for the councillors to carry out their duties effectively and efficiently.
She said the current term was also not enough for them to learn and spread what they have learnt to the people.
"After two years, change and change again. This will result in them being unable to serve the people as intended.
"Local councils will not be able to improve if this continues," she said.
Zuraida said this after opening the Local Government Empowerment Convention, which was held in conjunction with 7th Asia Pacific Urban Forum (APUF-7) at Setia Spice Convention Centre here today.
Also present was Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
Meanwhile, on plans to revive local government elections, she said the move would take some time before it could be implemented.
"It needs 3 years for the report on the proposal to be ready, due in 2021 or the latest in early 2022.
"After it has been tabled, we have to go down to the ground and create awareness on the matter as well," she added.
Local government elections in Malaysia were suspended following the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation in 1964.
The suspension was never lifted and instead made permanent through the Local Government Act 1976.
Under the Act, the laws of individual states where relevant, with local government members being appointed by the respective state government.