The Federal Umno chief Mohd Norza Zakaria was quoted as saying : 'The Kuala Lumpur mayor controls everything. The politicians have not much say in anything, although they have sacrificed for the government'.

He gave an example of an Umno member aged 60 who requested for a letter from Umno supporting his application for a City Hall low-cost flat for his son but the letter was of no use. 'We need things looked at from the political angle. We won with a big mandate in the last election,' said Norza further.

His outburst only shows the wrong mindset of our politicians and the electorate. Instead of what 'we can do for the country', it is usually what is in it 'for me or our party'. Norza's statement is a clear admission of an attempt to use political influence.

It would have been more appropriate if the politician wrote a letter of recommendation for a genuinely deserving case, regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.

In reply, the Kuala Lumpur mayor Ruslin Hassan was quoted as saying: 'The Mayor reports to the Federal Territories Minister. I don't see what is not clear. It's very clear except to those who are ignorant'.

It is a breath of fresh air, the mayor defending himself against one of the ruling party leaders. The fact is, there should be no political interference in the mayor's duties.

In fact, we should have local government elections during which a mayor is selected, instead of one being appointed by the government.