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How Can Local Government Elections Be Costly, Time-Consuming And Disrupt Services Provided When The Performances Of Local Councils Have Been Notorious For Being Poor, Ineffective, Inefficient, Oppressive And Even Corrupt? Speech - At The “Restore The Third Vote” Forum by Lim Guan Eng (Penang, Sunday): Last week Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun rejected local government elections as costly, time-consuming and would disrupt services provided. No evidence was given to back up such claims. And neither did the government explain why if this was true, a communist country such as China had been holding elections for village heads since 1998 and an Islamic country such as Saudi Arabia held local council elections in February this year.  Local elections is not costly, time-consuming and do not disrupt services provided when the present performances of local councils have been notorious for being poor, inefficient, ineffective, oppressive and even corrupt. Appointed councilors have disappointed us by refusing to attend to our complaints of flash floods caused by poor drainage, roads with potholes, unlighted street lamps and even bullying by employees of local councils.   Similarly these appointed councilors either indulge in or close their eyes to the problems of mismanagement of funds, unprofessional administration of projects that leads to losses and worse, abuses of power and corruption. All these weaknesses go uncorrected because appointed councilors need not be accountable.  The people have had enough of appointed councilors who go to overseas junkets at public expense. Cleverly packaged as study tours, no one can understand the benefit of sending retired councilors who do not speak a single word of English to countries like Australia. Even if they can somehow understand what the Australian Mayor of some outback town is saying, what benefit is there when these councilors have already served their full 3 year term.  Or worse, misusing public funds for expensive projects that cost 11 times the market price. In Melaka, a rubbish bin costing RM 80 can be purchased for RM 880/-. And not one, but 20 rubbish bins were purchased at the exorbitant price of RM880 each.  Democracy is that system of political governance whose decision-making power is subject to the controlling influence of citizens who are considered political equals.  A democratic political system is inclusive, participatory, representative, accountable, transparent and responsive to citizens’ aspirations and expectations. Clearly democracy is the only form of government consistent with all human freedoms and human rights.     The campaign to restore the third vote is inspired by democracy and driven by the deprivation caused by 4 decades of dictatorship. For forty long years since 1 March 1965, appointed local governments have been one of continuous failure.  This fundamental flaw of denying local democracy has resulted in the continuous failure in provision of basic services but also the failure of good local governance and delivery systems. The late Datuk Athi Nahappan, who headed the Royal Commission of Inquiry to Local Governments in 1968, was correct. Local councilors must be elected by the people or else those not qualified or with questionable backgrounds get appointed. It is just not logical that we can elect our Prime Minister and Menteri Besar but not our local councilors.  For forty years, Malaysians have been denied their freedoms and their democratic right to choose their local representative. Forty years is a long time to correct a wrong, but such continuous failure can not be allowed to persist. Reclaiming our democratic right is a worthy cause that deserves the support of all Malaysians regardless of race and religion. For those who have braved arrest to restore local government elections such as National Treasurer and Bukit Bintang MP Sdr Fong Kui Lun, Perak State Chair and Sitiawan ADUN Sdr Ngeh Koo Ham, Perak State Organising Secretary Sdr Teh Hock Kee, DAP Researcher Sdr Liew Chin Tong, Sdr Ning San and Sdr Low Wai Hong; let me salute you as the Malaysian heroes for democracy.   Restoration of local government elections can lead to a solid foundation for democracy, good governance, rule of law, financial accountability and transparency. Let us use the democratic power of all for the good of each. Democracy, pro-poor growth policies and equitable expansion of social and economic opportunities can improve our lives, ensure good local governance and take back the community that belongs to us. (10/4/2005) * Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General