Folk want clean govt, less interference in city’s daily affairs

IT’s a firm no! That’s the response from Kuala Lumpur residents when asked about the possibility that the Federal Territories Ministry would make a comeback.

City folk are generally not supportive of any move by the government to revive the ministry.

Most of them say that eight months is also too short a time to see any kind of change or impact by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

They feel the PM should be given more time to carry out his plans for the city’s capital.

Long-time Brickfields resident Dr Christopher Nicholas said, “Everything is just fine the way it is. I am quite satisfied knowing that the Prime Minister is directly accountable for Kuala Lumpur.

Christopher: I am quite satisfied knowing that the Prime Minister is directly accountable for the city.“We have had to deal with so many ministers in the past who came and went.

“Nothing substantial has come from their tenure, except that Kuala Lumpur today has fewer green lungs and more skyscrapers.’’

Echoing Christopher’s sentiments is Selamatkan Kuala Lumpur (SKL) chairman Datuk M. Ali who said, “Kuala Lumpur does not need another minister but an elected representative”.

“We have been advocating for the election of the mayor and councillors for Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to make them accountable and responsible towards the people of the city.’’

Ali added that DBKL, Putrajaya Corporation and Labuan Corporation could function without the Federal Territories Ministry, as the local governments had their own local authorities with powers under the Local Government Act 1976.

After the ministry was restructured into the Federal Territories Department, all functions pertaining to DBKL, Putrajaya Corporation and Labuan Corporation as well as Kampung Baru Development Corporation, the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office and the Federal Territories Sports Council are parked under the Prime Minister’s Department.

Ali added that the move to downsize the ministry into a department was also done to cut cost.

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Cheras resident Mohan Raj said,“It is no secret that the ministry and DBKL had overlapping functions and duties.

“There were numerous times when I brought up an issue with DBKL over the proliferation of roadside hawkers in the city, and was told by a DBKL officer that the matters come directly under the Federal Territories Minister.

“I find this counter-productive and if things go wrong, who is going to take responsibility?”

Businessman KC Lau from Bukit Bintang agreed with Mohan, adding that there were one too many issues that saw politicians interfering with DBKL.

Ali: Kuala Lumpur does not need another minister but an elected representative.“One case was the fiasco surrounding the ban of liquor sales in Chinese medical halls, hypermarkets and sundry shops a few years ago.

“Why did the ministry or minister interfere with DBKL? I believe they were politically motivated.

“It is better that they leave City Hall to handle day-to-day city issues,’’ Lau said.

Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said from the rakyat’s perspective, doing away with the ministry would save cost and minimise political interference in DBKL.

“Umno’s request for the revival of the ministry and the ministerial post is solely due to political reasons.

“It is about seeking power via an important portfolio and elevating themselves at the national level.

“Umno’s request is certainly not to push for more efficiency and transparency or for the betterment of the people of Kuala Lumpur,” he said.

Azmi added that the rakyat wanted to see less political interference and more transparency and accountability.

“You cannot blame them as so many cases of power abuse and land grab cases are happening in Kuala Lumpur.

“The people want a clean government that is accountable to the people.

“The Prime Minister can easily reject that request (to revive the Federal Territories Ministry) since it is a political matter.

“At the end of the day, it’s not about what Umno wants but about what the Pakatan Harapan can offer,’’ he added.