KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa will discuss the proposal to hold local council elections with the Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
Dr Zaliha said such discussions would need to determine whether local elections could be held in especially in the federal capital.
She said she was aware of the proposal and did not rule out its importance as suggested by certain quarters. However, she said it needed to be refined and an in-depth study should be carried if the proposal was approved.
"The local councils are under the (jurisdiction) of the Local Government Development Ministry and I do not rule out its importance (of local council elections).
"I will discuss with the minister (Nga) to ensure how this matter can be further scrutinised," she told Bernama after a welcoming ceremony and briefing held by Kuala Lumpur City Hall at Menara DBKL 1 today.
On Sunday, Kuala Lumpur DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai called for the government to reinstate the local elections in the capital city to uphold democracy in the federal territories.
The Cheras member of parliament had said reintroducing local elections in Kuala Lumpur would provide sustainability and give the residents the right to select their city council representatives.
Tan also described it as "the third vote" which may be returned to the people, which allowed the principle of 'no taxation without representation' to be upheld and to ensure an effective, clean and people-centric governance to turn KL into a world-class city.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil had also responded to the issue on Monday by saying that Dr Zaliha should be given some time to assess the need for a local government election.
Fahmi had said the implementation of local government elections should be looked into comprehensively as it is a major policy decision.