The Election Commission’s reasons for not reinstating local government elections have been described as an “ill-conceived argument” when actually there are alternatives waiting to be explored.

NONE MBPJ councillor and lawyer Derek Fernandez ( right ) said this when addressing  local councillors and media representatives at the launch of the Coalition of NGO and Professional Councillors in Petaling Jaya (CONPAC)  today.

He pointed out that the state government could resort to the alternative of an informal election and appoint the councillors selected by voters through a gentleman’s agreement.

For a formal poll to take place, he said: “The state government must invoke Section 1 (4) of Local Government Act 1976 and exempt Section 15 and part of Section 10 of the Local Government Act”.

He added that the state assembly has to pass a new law  similar to the one that governed elections for local government before they were suspended, to empower the state to organise such polls.

 

“The National Council of Local Government’s (NCLG) approval is not critical or necessary as the exemption and power to pass the law is already provided for in Section 1 (4) and Federal Constitution,” he added.

Derek said a legal fight against the federal government is the only way to hold a local government election.   

Recently, EC chief Abdul Aziz Yusof had dismissed the possibility of holding local government polls as they are bound by such laws as Local Government Act 1976 (Act 171), saying the matter should be raised with the (NCLG).

A movement for public participation

CONPAC, a coalition comprising non-governmental organisations and professionals who currently make up 25% of the appointed councillors, is all geared up to take public participation and access of information to a new level.

The event’s chair, Permas president Tan Jo Ann said Pakatan Rakyat has done a commendable job by allowing a quarter of the local council to be taken up by NGOs and professionals.

“ We can’t see this in any other state,” he added.

memo to suhakam immigration ban 140907 cynthia gabriel Its secretary Cynthia Gabriel ( left ) said the coalition was formed to serve objectives such as providing a forum or a platform for collective discussion and to enhance the role of NGOs and professional councillors.

“ We would also like to provide a collective mechanism in the drafting of policy including issues of minorities and marginalised communities,” she added.

The other objective would be to continue to be an integral part of local government through an open and transparent process.

Also present were Petaling Jaya councillor Melasutra Md Ali and Subang Jaya councillor Chang Kim Loong.