‘Returning KL to Selangor not practical’

PETALING JAYA: The proposal to return Kuala Lumpur to Selangor is a step backward and financially challenged, according to analysts.

Constitutional and administrative law lecturer Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood questioned whether such a move would be politically desirable or otherwise.

“If Kuala Lumpur is returned to Selangor, there will be a huge boost to Selangor’s economy but this comes with baggage.

“The capital needs a huge maintenance fund. Can Selangor afford it? Currently, the fund comes directly from the Federal Government,” he said, when contacted yesterday.

Nik Ahmad Kamal was commenting on the proposal made by Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung, who asked if Kuala Lumpur can be returned to Selangor to create a “mega metropolis”.In his debate during the 12th Malaysia Plan mid-term review in Parliament on Wednesday, Lee said it would “ease development and allow for better planning.”

Kuala Lumpur achieved city status on Feb 1, 1972 before becoming a Federal Territory a year later on Feb 1, 1974.

The city, which comprises 11 parliamentary constituencies, currently comes under the administration of Kuala Lumpur City Hall.Nik Ahmad Kamal pointed out that Selangor is facing its own set of issues as compared to Kuala Lumpur.

“Selangor has its own urban poor problem, which is quite substantial due to its size as well as huge urban population.

“It will be challenging. If Kuala Lumpur is returned to Selangor, should Labuan be returned to Sabah? What about Putrajaya?” he asked.

Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Muhammad Asri Mohd Ali said such a proposal was not practical and could even cause issues between races and affect national unity in the long run.

“If Kuala Lumpur is returned to Selangor, it will create more state seats under the state assembly.

“Based on the current voting trend, it will have an impact on the composition of the state assembly and perhaps, will lead to racial tension,” he added.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said the call was a bad idea as Selangor would need large finances to maintain Kuala Lumpur should it be returned to the state.

“As we know, Kuala Lumpur is directly developed under the Federal Government.

“Currently, they have their own resources under federal planning. If Kuala Lumpur goes back to Selangor, although it is the richest state, their resources are quite limited.

“Selangor still has a lot of opportunities to be developed,” added Azmi.