THE Federal Territories (FT) Department will remain as it is for now although there is a minister looking after FT affairs.
Newly-appointed Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa (pic) said whether or not the department will be converted back to a ministry is up to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
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“As far as I know, it will remain a department for now.
“Although a ministry has a larger function compared to a department, the Prime Minister will (decide on this).
“I have not met with him yet but we will discuss the matter,” she said on Tuesday (Dec 19) when asked about the department's status.
Dr Zaliha, who was visiting Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), also said she will focus on socio-economic matters and the plight of the urban poor.
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On local government elections, she said the matter will be discussed further with Local Government Development Minister Nga Kor Ming.
“The matter is under his ministry's jurisdiction but we will not put aside the (subject) of local government elections as brought up by some Kuala Lumpur folk,” she said.
This follows recent calls for the return of local government elections.
Previously, Dr Zaliha was quoted by a news portal as saying that strata issues and joint management body administration mattters have a higher priority than such elections.
