Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad's proposal that Shah Alam serves as the launchpad for the reintroduction of local council elections appears to have ticked off the Selangor state government.

In a statement this afternoon, Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari's political aide said it would have been wise for Khalid, who is the MP for Shah Alam, to consult the state government before making statements on the matter.

“Khalid's position as the MP for the constituency is acknowledged.

“Therefore, it is appropriate for him to consult the state government first because it involves numerous parties, including civil servants,” added the aide, Borhan Aman Shah.

Borhan (photo) said the menteri besar has noted Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's call not to have local council elections as well as welcomes Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin's efforts to hold a comprehensive research on the matter.

“I hope all quarters will be more responsible in issuing statements that involve the well being of the people of Selangor,” he added.

Yesterday, Khalid said he is hoping that local council elections can be held in the Malay-majority area of Shah Alam where the race card cannot be used.

“Whoever gets voted in still has to toe the line, whether Pakatan Harapan or BN,” he added.

The Shah Alam MP said most of the candidates for the local council elections would be from political parties instead of independents.

A day earlier, Mahathir said local government elections could cause race-related conflicts and is not part of the Harapan agenda.

“Local council elections may produce the wrong results.

"The urban may be different, the rural may be different... there will be conflicts emphasised by racial differences and the like. So we don't want that to happen,” Mahathir added.

Local council elections ended following the race riots in 1969.