ALOR STAR: The government needs to carefully consider the DAP's proposal to reintroduce local government elections to avoid any party gaining undue advantage easily.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Hasmuni Hassan said local government elections are seen as a complex system that has both positive and negative impacts if implemented.
He said that the matter needs to be carefully considered to ensure fairness and effectiveness in local governance before its implementation.
"We are concerned that it will be like (the Malay saying) ' tikus membaiki labu' (mouse mending a gourd – fixing something unknown and causing more damage). Even worse, it will be a loss to the people when some parties gain undue advantage easily.
"The question is why DAP is so interested in holding local government elections again? What is their real agenda? I don't know. They certainly have an answer that is 'bigger' than just democracy given as a reason to justify these elections," he said in a statement today.
Hasmuni said that local government elections are the lowest level and almost at the grassroots level in the country's governance system, and at the district level, it is very powerful.
He said important positions such as the mayor, council president, and council members have power over the tax collection system, property taxes, and the formulation of local by laws.
"Before 1964, local government elections were held to choose committees at the district or local government level. It is a legacy of British colonialism. At that time, the highest officials of the local government and council members were chosen by the people.
"It was abolished after 1964 because it wanted to expedite development efforts, where the process of developing areas could be done directly through Members of Parliament and State Assembly members (Adun).
"It is sufficient. It is tiring if there is another layer of 'little Napoleons' to deal with the bureaucracy and politics of local government," he said.
He also added that among the benefits of local government elections are that they are closer to the people, focus on local issues, open opportunities for local leaders, and increase public participation.
But at the same time, he said, it also brings disadvantages, including funding weaknesses, development disparities, a lack of ability to address national issues, potential nepotism and cronyism, and a lack of strategic alliances.
Last Sunday, DAP Federal Territory chairman Tan Kok Wai, who is also the Member of Parliament for Cheras, proposed holding local government elections to strengthen democracy in the Federal Territory during the DAP Federal Territory Convention.