I refer to the Malaysiakini report Sivarasa: This is how we'll take Putrajaya .

I have always thought that one of the primary weaknesses of the government is its complete lack of enforcement of municipal and city by-laws and the maintenance of the drains, roads etc, which are the primary functions of local governments all over the country.

Remember that the annual assessments paid and collected efficiently are meant for these purposes in addition towards increasing revenue for new facilities and developments.

But the lack of enforcement and maintenance unfortunately is a country-wide phenomenon  without, in my view, exception.

I will take the Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS) as an example as I am a Selayang resident and therefore  an eyewitness. Let me give two examples:

1. The drains and the pavements right under the nose of the MPS are not maintained. Go and see the drains along the Selayang Stadium which I believe have not been cleared from the time of the stadium’s construction.

Similarly, the pavements from the MPS’s doorstep going up the up the nearby flats is in a pathetic condition. I am sure the enforcement teams of MPS pass that way many times on a daily basis. How come they don't see these things?

2. Residential houses are turned into workshops. For example, there is a house in Taman Selayang Segar which is used as a motorcycle workshop, disturbing the peace of the residents.

Also, I do not need to remind the readers about the way stray dogs under the care of MPS were treated.

These examples above must be the pattern for all other housing areas and public places under MPS and other town councils in Selangor and elsewhere in the country.

So what Sivarasa has listed as to show the earnestness of Pakatan Rakyat on its way to Putrajaya will convince the people and the voters that this future federal government means business.

With this approach, half the battle for the voters’ hearts is won.

And congratulations to the Penang state government on it's decision to conduct local council elections and to the Selangor government for its intention to follow suit. This is a step in the right direction as local councilors who are elected can then be held accountable.