Sack local governments that fail to provide good governance

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If employers have a right to sack workers who fail to perform, there is no reason why Malaysians should not enjoy the democratic right to sack local governments that fail to provide good governance and honest leadership

Speech
- during the DAP Selangor State Committee Meeting
by Lim Guan Eng

(Petaling Jaya, Wednesday): If employers have a right to sack workers who fail to perform, there is no reason why Malaysians should not enjoy the democratic right to sack local governments that fail to provide good governance and honest leadership. Why should dishonest, ineffective and inefficient local governments be allowed to continue to be paid and rule over as if nothing has happened?

The latest failure and scandal of local governance in Selangor involving the destruction of Bukit Cahaya National Agriculture Park involving huge billion ringgit losses requires firm action against those responsible. At the minimum, the Shah Alam Municipal Council should be sacked for failing in the duty to monitor the work done. Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Khir Toyo has also lost the confidence of the public in his ability, competence and integrity in carrying out their duties. Even though he is not replaced now, the people have an opportunity to do so at the next general elections.

However no action can be taken against the Shah Alam Municipal Council if the state government decides not to do so. That is the reason why local government elections is so important to empower the people to have a say in decisions that affect them. Who decides what action to be taken for failure to perform should be decided by the people?

As taxpayers, we have a right to accountability by deciding who can represents us. As taxpayers we should be able to participate in decisions on how our money is spent. As tax-payers we have a right to be consulted on decisions that affects us. Only democracy can ensure that the process of accountability, participation and consultation is fully carried out to empower the people.

For forty years, local government elections have been banned. Forty years is a long time to correct a wrong and as pro-democrats we should restore grassroots democracy. If BN, MCA, Gerakan and MIC believes in democracy, then they should support this campaign for local government elections. As UMNO MPs such as Member of
Parliament for Kota Baharu Mohamed Zaid Ibrahim said that this campaign should not be seen as a DAP initiative but one that belongs to and is supported by all.

(9/3/2005)

* Lim Guan Eng, DAP Secretary-General