The Selangor government has reiterated its commitment to local council elections by urging the Election Commission (EC) to conduct studies on the matter as soon as possible.

This was expressed in a letter issued by Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof on March 11.

NONE In the letter, Khalid added that he was willing to meet with senior officers of the commission to discuss the matter.

He also sought the view of the commission on the proposal, based on the current provisions in the Federal Constitution and the state powers.

The Selangor government, he said, takes the view that Article 113(4) of the Federal Constitution allows the commission to restore local elections in the state.

The article provides: "Federal or State law may authorise the Election Commission to conduct elections other than those referred to in Clause (1)".

State laws also allocate power to the state government to appoint local council representatives based on the Local Government Elections Act 1960 and Local overnment Act 1976, he added.

Selangor is the second Pakatan Rakyat-held state pursuing the matter after Penang.

EC to response next week

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had written to Abdul Aziz on March 4 stating that the state executive council had in a meeting on March 3 decided for local council elections to be held.

abdul aziz spr ec chairman 300509 Abdul Aziz responded on Monday saying that they will reply to both letters with their decision by next week.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has however come out strongly against restoring local council elections, deeming the third vote unnecessary.

The resurrection of local government elections was a general election pledge given by Pakatan in 2008.

However, the proposal has received less than enthusiastic response from some PAS leaders.