“Indeed, city councils like DBKL are now seemingly run like private, for-profit companies that prioritise developers’ interests without considering residents’ welfare and interests.

“The Pakatan Harapan government will work hard to empower democracy and transparency in DBKL systematically. This effort will ensure that all Malaysians can elect reliable, inclusive representation that represents the interests of the people, not the developers.”

- Pakatan Harapan manifesto, October 2022

COMMENT | These prophetic words, first spoken and then written, gave hope to millions of Malaysians, who were “victims” of the many Little Napoleons in local councils.

It would be wrong to assume that I am yet again reminding the government of one of the many promises it made during its campaign to wrest the government from BN control.

But why would the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) be singled out for mention? It was then and is still the country’s most significant and richest local authority.