Local council elections not a priority, focus is on development, says Nga

PETALING JAYA: Implementing local council elections is not a priority for the Housing and Local Government Ministry at the moment, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Minister Nga Kor Ming said the focus was currently on developments that could benefit and uplift the people’s well-being.

“This year, we will also continue to prioritise basic facilities for local councils such as roads, clean public toilets and clear drains to ensure we give the best services to the people,” he said in a written Parliamentary reply on Friday (March 7).

Nga was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru).

Takiyuddin had asked whether the government intended to carry out local council elections following “pressure” from certain quarters for it to begin in Kuala Lumpur.

Local council elections were previously carried out in Malaysia but were suspended in the 1960s following the Confrontation periods between Indonesia and Malaysia.

It has never been revived since.

Separately, Nga said the ministry would continue engagements with state governments to finalise the draft of the Residential Tenancy Act.

“Input and views from the engagement will be taken into account to improve the draft, so all quarters will be protected and taken into account,” he said.

Nga added that the Residential Tenancy Act would be neutral, with the rental of any premises being subject to agreement by the parties involved.

“It will also define the rights and obligations for premise owners and renters, alongside preparing a mechanism to resolve any conflicts when it comes to renting,” he said.

This was in response to a question by Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) who asked about current developments on the Residential Tenancy Act, and whether it would overcome complaints of racial discrimination against potential renters.