GEORGE TOWN: Penang will be “top of the list” when the proposal for local council elections is passed by the Cabinet for implementation in three years, says the Housing and Local Government Minister.
Zuraida Kamaruddin (pic) said the state had expressed interest in carrying out local council elections even when Pakatan Harapan was in the Opposition.
“Penang brought the case to the Federal Court in 2014 but lost.
“They tried when we were the Opposition.
“But now, we are in the government and we want to implement it.
“So Penang will be the number one state on the list, ” she told reporters after launching a public forum in Komtar yesterday.
Zuraida, who is a PKR vice-president, said local council elections would be carried out in stages when they get the green light from the Cabinet.
“Penang is mature and ready for it.
“We will need three years to come up with a model and proposal for Cabinet approval.
“Workshops will be held for all stakeholders.
“The second stage is for the coalition of local councils to go on the ground and engage the community, besides educating them on the purpose of a local council election.
“My ministry will propose amendments to the relevant Acts, which we hope can be completed and presented to the Cabinet by year end, ” she added.
Earlier at the event, Zuraida delivered a speech titled “Pilihan Raya Tempatan: Siapa Untung, Siapa Rugi” (Local council elections: Who wins, who loses?).
Also present was Penang Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo.
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