Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s negative comments on local government polls appears to have turned him into a punching bag of sorts for those who disagree with him.

NONE The latest jab came from Kampung Tunku state assemblyman Lau Weng San who pointed out that Najib dismissing such elections as unnecessary contradicts his ‘1 Malaysia’ concept.

“If the performances of local councils are far below the rakyat’s expectations, then Najib should release the federal government’s tight grip on them,” he added

Lau was responding to Najib’s opinion that local council election s would only lead to too much politicking.

In a statement today, Lau, claimed that the federal government’s control in terms of funding and administrative rulings could limit the performance of local councils.

Some of their major functions which are heavily dictated by the federal government are procurement processes and solid waste management.

Also the implementation of the certificate of completion and compliance, restricts the council's role in granting certificates of fitness of occupation. Lau said such tyranny should stop.

Other instances

The other instance Lau cited was the federal government’s power in terms of selecting contractors, stating that small projects are only open to Class F contractors and Alam Flora’s agreement with local council is restricted to bumiputera contractors.

“Local councils no longer handle sewerage discharge and treatment as it has been placed under the Finance Ministry’s wholly-owned consortium, Indah Water,” he said

“The construction of local schools and other building structures that are funded by the federal government do not require planning approval from local authorities as well,” Lau added

He also urged the federal government to return sovereignty to local councils as it could function better by understanding the needs and requirements of the local community than the federal government.

“Ideally the federal government should only have the right to enact laws and parliamentary bills, and provide the legal uniformity in running municipalities,” the statement read.

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