I refer to the Malaysiakini report PM: Local gov't polls unnecessary .

I am strongly supportive of the move towards reestablishing local government elections. However, the Penang and Selangor governments must make more of the ideas clearer to the public.

How will it work? Will the municipality be divided into constituencies etc? How long will the term of councillors be for etc.

Also, what happens when there are councillors who are elected but who are uncooperative. Suppose a municipality is won by a group which then decides to play politics and are uncooperative with the state government, what will happen?

This can cripple that council and the state government's implementation of projects. Perhaps safeguards for such eventualities should be considered. Perhaps special powers can be given like say the ability of the chief minister to sack non-performing councillors after a minimum period of six months.

Some would argue that this is most undemocratic but at least for the transition period, this might be a viable option. And at any rate, if the chief minister sacks a good councillor it will be the chief minister who will have to pay the price via his approval ratings.

Of course, if a councillor is sacked, he or she must be able to stand once more in an ensuing election so that the voters may decide on the legitimacy of his or her sacking.

Will this lead to too much politicking? Perhaps, but the last thing the people should have is regret over their decision to vote someone with a a very low performance into office. Low performance  which affects the public so quickly and directly (parking meters, potholes, illegal stalls, etc).