(Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): PPP President and Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk M. Kayveas has finally conceded that local government elections is the probably the only answer to stem the tide of corruption, inefficiency and unprofessional conduct flooding our local authorities. Only elected local government councils can ensure accountability, transparency and corruption-free service that is professional, efficient and effective in serving the public.

In agreeing with the demands by DAP to put an end to locally-appointed councils, Kayveas went one step further than opposition attacks of local government  by labeling them as mere rubber-stamps operating like a “triad society”(black secret society). DAP has run a nation-wide to restore the third vote by giving back the right of the people to elect their local councilors as the present appointive system as failed to deliver professional, efficient and corrupt-free services.

Earlier Kayveas had dismissed DAP’s campaign as a waste of money that would only serve to politicize and affect the smooth running of the local authorities to providing good services to the people. Now he has come to realize that local government authorities are much worse than what DAP had said, they are mere rubber stamps and secret societies. In the New Straits Times today, Kayveas said,

“The spending of local governments far exceeds the income. Take for example, a simple study tour. Every year, there are such tours and visits but when they return, there is no benefit from the trips.

They say it is compulsory to go on such tours but what is the benefit?  I am not saying don’t take a holiday, but take a holiday properly. Don’t cloud it with pretext of doing work and then you have a holiday.”

The wastage money wasted from going to such trips is exemplified by the extravagance of Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah (MPAG) that sent its councillors for two holiday trips over two years, one to Australia costing RM 100,000 two years ago and recently to China for RM66,000/-. When in Beijing and Tianjin in China, MPAG councillors did not meet a single local government official and instead went for a tour with their tourist guide.

Money spent on such junket trips can be better spent of providing better drains to reduce the dengue threat. Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek revealed that 80% of dengue cases comes within the jurisdiction of local authorities. Clearly the local authorities have failed to deliver and carry out their basic duty to look after the health, hygiene and safety of the people’s neighbourhoods. An elected council answerable to the people is the only solution and not the present “rubber stamp” appointed local council operated like a “secret society”.  

                                                                               
(04/10/2005)