Based on my 10 years as a lawyer and eight years as a councillor in Petaling Jaya and now Kajang, I fully support the study on mayoral elections in Kuala Lumpur and urge its expansion to other major cities.
During my field engagements, residents often ask who their mayor or council president is.
If a survey were conducted, I believe many would not even know the identity of their local leader.
This stems from the current system, where mayors and council presidents are appointed by the state or Federal Government, often at unpredictable intervals, and sometimes changed without the knowledge of residents.
More importantly, the role of a mayor is not merely a head of department but the leader of a local government administration with significant budgets.
For example, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has an allocation of RM2.8bil, while Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) has RM600mil, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) RM512mil and Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) RM364mil.
These local government budgets alone exceed those of states like Perlis, Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
With such responsibilities, citizens have the right to choose their leaders to ensure accountability.
Holding mayoral elections every four or five years would provide a platform for residents to select leaders, who are directly answerable for policies, infrastructure and urban issues.
I also refute claims by the Pertubuhan-Pertubuhan Pembela Islam (Pembela) that mayoral elections lack a constitutional basis. This is inaccurate.
The issue is not one of constitutionality – it is about the government’s efforts to reform Malaysia’s democratic system.
If state and federal elections are standard practice, there is no reason local government elections cannot be implemented.
We must not forget that the first Umno-MCA coalition contested in the Kuala Lumpur and Penang municipal councils around 1951–1952.
I further reject claims that mayoral elections would be influenced by cartels or gangs.
Such risks exist in state and federal elections as well, yet no one suggests abolishing those.
This argument is shallow and unfounded.
Such risks should be managed through democratic processes, accountability and oversight – not by rejecting elections entirely.
I propose this study begin in major cities first, while other towns continue under the existing process.
I also urge the Housing and Local Government Minister alongside the Minister in the PM’s Department (Federal Territories) to expand this study to existing city councils and present the findings to the Cabinet.
This ensures any decision regarding mayoral elections is made comprehensively as part of the Madani government’s efforts to enhance democratisation and accountability in Malaysia’s local governments.
Farhan Haziq Mohamed
Kajang councillor
