A WIDE range of stakeholders will be consulted as part of a feasibility study on potential elections for the Kuala Lumpur mayor’s post, the Dewan Rakyat was told.
“It’s not only about race or gender but also the disabled, single mothers, youth and more. We need comprehensive input to have a more thorough understanding of the situation,” said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Lo Su Fui.
“Right now, it is still in the study phase with no findings yet,” he said during Question Time yesterday, where he emphasised that it was essential to hear the voices of all groups to get a fuller picture.
Lo was responding to a supplementary question by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (PH-Setiawangsa), who asked about the inclusivity of possible elections for Kuala Lumpur, noting that 30% female participation across all sectors has also yet to be achieved.
Earlier this month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh said a feasibility study to hold an election for the Kuala Lumpur mayor will be conducted, where she was quoted as saying that such an election was seen as more practical than electing city council members through local government elections.
On a related matter, Nik Nazmi also asked if the government agreed with the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) proposal on appointing council members to Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to strengthen checks and balances.
PAC proposed this last year in efforts to strengthen land development in the capital.
“Any further action also requires a comprehensive study in efforts to conduct institutional reforms in the capital.
“The Federal Territories Department has also launched a task force to explore the feasibility of amending the Federal Capital Act 1960,” Lo said.
