What is happening to local council elections??? ...elections...not appointments. Elections is where the people choose their local councillors...mayor...
Civil society groups came out after General Elections in 2008, which saw the opposition (Pakatan Rakyat) becoming government in 5 out of the 13 States in Malaysia, calling for local council elections to be held by or before 2010... [Of course, it made no sense...when it was something that should have been done in 3 months time...or latest by end 2008 - see earlier post: Local Government Elections at all levels by end 2008 (definitely NOT by 2010..)]
When Pakatan Rakyat came into power - many (especially me...) hoped that there will be changes - and the people will be given back the power and the right to choose their own community leaders ...and the local councillors ...the penghulus...and even the Senators for the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states... Perak was the only state that at least started returning to the people the power to choose their local leaders. All other Pakatan Rakyat states did not do anything to return power to the people ...power to choose their own local leaders...
Is it only PKR? Not really....Penang led by Lim Guan Eng also seem to be the same...Where is that Local Council Elections...
In Selangor, in June 2008 the Menteri Besar announced about the appointment of local councillors - 1 year probation, and then a 3-year contract..... [Note, this means that local councillor are still going to be appointed beyond the 31st December 2009 deadline imposed by civil society....] - and still, many NGO and Civil Society personnel accepted these terms and were appointed local councillors... [See also earlier post:- Will HR activist still call for Local Council elections with the same intensity..??]
Have not seen a recent statement issued by civil society groups on the question of Local Council. I know that there was mention again about criteria for appointment....but why talk about this when it is now past mid-2009, and nothing seem to be done with regard to even preparations for local council elections...
There should not be talk of appointments by the Menteri Besar and the state government - it must be elections. It must be the people that choose...
Civil society groups came out after General Elections in 2008, which saw the opposition (Pakatan Rakyat) becoming government in 5 out of the 13 States in Malaysia, calling for local council elections to be held by or before 2010... [Of course, it made no sense...when it was something that should have been done in 3 months time...or latest by end 2008 - see earlier post: Local Government Elections at all levels by end 2008 (definitely NOT by 2010..)]
"all State Governments, especially those of Penang, Selangor, Perak, Kedah and Kelantan, which have committed to local government elections through their manifestos or the People's Declaration, should declare their road maps for local elections with clear timelines and milestones. Holding local government elections should be prioritized, and carried out by or before 2010. " - extract from the 28/3/2008 Civil Society MemoMalaysia had Local Council Elections, until UMNO-led coalition government discontinued it in September 1964 - they could no longer trust the people of Malaysia to choose their own local councilors. In fact, the Malaysian government does not even trust Malaysians to choose their own community leaders - the government appoints them for the people. Thus, there is no elections to choose the Ketua Kampung (or the Ketua Taman..or the Ketua Kampung Baru...or Ketua Kawasan Perumahan..or the Ketua Orang Asli Kampungs...) or its committee. The BN government did not trust its people - the BN government chose to be dictatorial - they appointed the community leaders...and these 'community leaders' possibly would have approved all kinds of things with the people even knowing about what they had approved or not.. [ See also earlier posts:Even Thailand have local council (local government) elections. Shame on you, Malaysia.]
When Pakatan Rakyat came into power - many (especially me...) hoped that there will be changes - and the people will be given back the power and the right to choose their own community leaders ...and the local councillors ...the penghulus...and even the Senators for the Pakatan Rakyat-ruled states... Perak was the only state that at least started returning to the people the power to choose their local leaders. All other Pakatan Rakyat states did not do anything to return power to the people ...power to choose their own local leaders...
Is it only PKR? Not really....Penang led by Lim Guan Eng also seem to be the same...Where is that Local Council Elections...
Many NGO and Civil Society personalities also got 'bought' or compromised when they accepted appointments as Local Councillors...
In Selangor, in June 2008 the Menteri Besar announced about the appointment of local councillors - 1 year probation, and then a 3-year contract..... [Note, this means that local councillor are still going to be appointed beyond the 31st December 2009 deadline imposed by civil society....] - and still, many NGO and Civil Society personnel accepted these terms and were appointed local councillors... [See also earlier post:- Will HR activist still call for Local Council elections with the same intensity..??]
"The councillors will all undergo a one-year probation period and if they prove that they are good with what they do, we will extend their contract to three years," said Khalid. - Malaysiakini, 19/6/2008, S'gor local councillors list finally readyIn Selangor, the 1 year probation should have ended in June 2009 - Have the civil society/NGO activist signed 3-year contracts...or any contracts of appointment as local councilors that extends beyond the end 2009 deadline for Local Council Elections?
Have not seen a recent statement issued by civil society groups on the question of Local Council. I know that there was mention again about criteria for appointment....but why talk about this when it is now past mid-2009, and nothing seem to be done with regard to even preparations for local council elections...
There should not be talk of appointments by the Menteri Besar and the state government - it must be elections. It must be the people that choose...
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