Selangor’s new local government advisory council drew flak among NGO councillors as they claimed it will serve as nothing but another layer of bureaucracy.

MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez said the 20-member advisory body is a toothless tiger because there is no legal provision to empower them to act.

He said that as an administrative committee whose role was merely advisory, there was no guarantee the state executive council would take the ‘advice’.

“DBKL also set up an advisory council, but it just functions like a rubber stamp,” he said.

Coalition of NGO and Professional Appointed Councillors (Conpac) chairman and MPSJ newly-retained councillor Tan Jo Hann questioned the weight the advisory body will carry.

“The local council is empowered by the Local Government Act, in which (no one could intervene) with our (decision-making), even Ronnie Liu (state exco member in charge of local government).

“If they just give advice, it is very hard (for the body) to be (of substance),” he said.

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