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We urge the Malaysian Government to review the efficiency and the degree of irregularities of Selayang and other municipalities, not just of Ampang Jaya Municipality   Media Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw (Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday):   We have always reminded the Malaysian Government to review comprehensively the efficiency and the degree of irregularities of about 150 local authorities. Because of various factors like the abolition of local government elections over 30 years ago, the performance and attitude of many local councils have been paining the people.  On June 5, 2003, the Malay Mail reported that the Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohd Khir Toyo wanted a written complaint before he could investigate the Ampang Jaya Municipality enforcement chief Abdul Kudus Ahmad. He insisted that the municipality was clean. The Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government alleged that Kudus received bribe to act as a mole.  Rais has sent a letter to Khir asking the latter to investigate the allegation. We hope the Menteri Besar will do so.  In fact, Khir may not entertain even written complaints. For instance, on October 23, 2003, the Kepong Taman Indah Perdana Apartment Residents’ Association sent a letter to the Menteri Besar, complaining about an encroachment of a green lung, Lot 11643. I have also sent letters and emails to Khir and Tuan Haji Bakaruddin Othman, the President of the Selayang Municipality and the Prime Minister since the beginning of this year.  On 13 February, 2003, Mohd Yusof Shafie, the Private Secretary to the Menteri Besar referred the association’s letter to Bakaruddin with a copy to Tan Soo Nam of the said association. He hoped that the Minicipality President would consider the matter appropriately (pertimbangan sewajarnya).   On 23 November, 2001, Bakaruddin approved a permit for MCA to build a multipurpose hall at Lot 56974 of the said taman, the permit being renewed in October, 2002. MCA has built a kindergarten, a multipurpose hall for infants, at Lot 11643, near the above-stated apartments. The infant hall is situated on a green lung.  Whether it is a written or an email complaint, the municipality president and the Mesnteri Besar have not turned a hair. The way they deal with the green lung is opened to doubt. Are they serious about taking action on the trespass of Lot 11643?  Although the Selayang Municipality President has open days on Saturdays,  the procedure for seeing Bakaruddin must be improved. I personally waited patiently outside his office on open days, witnessing the attitude and the efficiency of his subordinates. I found out that some of his people including a secretary were not good for the residents. I told the secretary that we were all human beings, not wild animals. We should have been treated as human beings. I related the incident to Bakaruddin.  Do Menteri Besar and Council Presidents have a heart susceptible of pity? Would they make their services attractive?  As Rais has said what is the use of paying high assessment rates when all you get in return is poor service?  Besides having an enquiry on Ampang Jaya Municipality, the Government should review the services of Selayang and other local councils. Let the people know the truth.   (10/6/2003) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong