THE mayor for Kuala Lumpur should be elected and not appointed to ensure proper accountability is shown for the management of the capital city, youth-based party Muda said.

The party’s Federal Territory committee said under the present appointment system, mayors change but the results remain the same.  

“In reality, the City Hall (DBKL) is non-existent to the people. There also seems to be no way to measure its accountability as it is seen as distant from the community. 

“In addition, DBKL’s failure to solve residents’ problems has often become an issue among the dissatisfied stakeholders,” the party said in a statement.

Yesterday, DBKL executive director (project management) Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh was appointed the new Kuala Lumpur mayor effective April 17.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali said the appointment was to replace Mahadi Che Ngah who retired on March 31, in line with subsection 4(2) of the Federal Capital Act 1960 (Act 190).

“I believe with Kamarulzaman’s experience, he can further strengthen the governance and functions of local authorities implemented by DBKL and continue to benefit the people and the government,” he said in a statement last night.

Muda said the voices and concerns of KL folk are currently only aired by members of parliament. 

“But addressing local council issues is not the task of the lawmakers. 

“To deal with the problems of a large population is not easy. There must be an election or democratic process which allows the residents of Kuala Lumpur to choose their mayor.”

Muda added that the implications of a system that has no accountability to taxpayers will result in corruption.  

“It is more transparent if residents or voters know where the City Hall is spending (taxpayers’ funds) and it is better if residents and voters can monitor and hold elected representatives accountable.