I am writing to express my support for Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister Department M Kayveas for opening the proverbial can of worms on local councils. I do not know (or care) whether he has his own axe to grind by doing so, but when I see the self-righteous protestations of innocence by local councillors, I am moved to record my support for Kayveas.

Perhaps, Kayveas was a little excessive in comparing local councils to secret societies, but the exaggeration pales in comparison with the excesses perpetrated by many, if not all local councils, on their hapless ratepayers.

We have suffered long enough - without any avenue for recourse - and Kayveas deserves every support that he can get for calling a spade a spade. At least, at the national and state levels, we have elections once in five years.

But at the local council level, it is simply a government of councillors by the councillors, with not even a semblance of accountability to the people whom they purportedly serve.

If the local councils are still convinced that they are doing a great job, or at least a decent job, I would like to suggest that they conduct a 'satisfaction perception survey' of the people they serve (besides themselves).

Since many of the local authorities are ISO 9000 certified, I believe that the monitoring of customer perceptions will not be a concept alien to them. In any case, I will be happy to provide the necessary assistance, pro bono publico.

Next, I would suggest that the local councils publish all their planned projects and expenditures for the coming year on their websites, and actively solicit feedback from their clients (or ratepayers, in case they have forgotten).

They should also publish the names and other pertinent details of the individuals and companies who and which have been awarded contracts to implement projects.

I am sure that our councillors, who always have the 'best interests' of their clients at heart, will find these simple suggestions helpful to enable them to serve us even better.