The statement in Parliament by Deputy Minister of Housing and Local Government that the government has no intention of re-introducing local government elections is not unexpected.

Given Barisan Nasional's 92 percent majority in Parliament, any proposal that would jeopardise their cosy arrangement of appointing local councilors to perpetuate their control cannot be expected to be received with open arms.

In spite of the recent high-profile cases of corruption and abuse of power by state assemblymen and local councilors, our leaders have chosen to dismiss the call for local government elections. There is no attempt at consideration and it is simply dismissed as unnecessary for the point of costs, time and manpower.

So what else can we do to make the government seriously consider the proposal?

The so-called reason of costs, time and manpower are lame. If a referendum were to be called, I am sure the people would decide in favour of local elections. Just look at the exceptionally high costs of procurement in most local government expenditures.

The savings from proper tender exercise will more than offset the extra costs involved in carrying out local government elections.

The fact that the 14 coalition parties of the Barisan Nasional are collectively in favour of not re-introducing local government elections shows that they are collectively responsible for the deteriorating standards in local governments' accountability and transparency.

It only goes to show their lack of independence in deciding matters concerning the people.

A mandate is given to the federal government at the general election every five years but this period is certainly too long when deciding on matters of local importance. Each time there is an abuse of power like at Bukit Cahaya and USJ8 , both in Selangor, those affected felt peeved and cheated.

They are also helpless in the face of high-handed councilors and assemblymen. Isn't it now the right time for us to wake up and exercise our civil rights by using our first and second votes to demand for our third vote?