PETALING JAYA: DAP's suggestion to hold local council elections in Kuala Lumpur is to realise its long-term agenda of controlling large urban cities, claims Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (pic).
The PAS deputy president warned that if the suggestion is implemented, it will only give space to larger racial polarisation between those living in the urban and rural area.
"It not only involves the unequal control of a city's economic distribution but also risks eroding the political power of the Malay-Islamic community," he said in a statement Wednesday (Dec 21).
The Kubang Kerian MP said the government's decision to abolish local council elections 50 years ago was appropriate.
"Among other things, it aimed to prevent the domination of any single ethnic group in the local government to avoid any racial tension or disharmony in the community," he added.
The senior PAS leader also expressed concern over the statement made by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territory) Dr Zaliha Mustafa that she will be discussing the proposal with the Local Government Development Ministry (KPKT).
"This matter should not be her focus, as she should be focusing on the welfare of those living in the city as her primary concern," added Tuan Ibrahim.
"The Prime Minister should halt this agenda if he wants the people to perceive that the Madani government is not influenced by DAP.
"We cannot compromise on such agendas because if we are too willing to compromise, eventually, we may find ourselves conceding more than we should," warned Tuan Ibrahim.
On Dec 19, Dr Zaliha said that she took note of the suggestion, especially for local council elections in the federal capital, but said the matter needed to be discussed with KPKT.
Kuala Lumpur DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai had previously called on the government to introduce local council elections in Kuala Lumpur, which he said would strengthen democracy in the Federal Territory.
Tan said holding local council elections in Kuala Lumpur would ensure sustainability and allow residents to choose their local councillors.
