ABOUT 60% of Malaysians polled want Putrajaya to revive local council elections, but they are sceptical if it will bring any improvements, said the Centre For A Better Tomorrow (Cenbet). 

Cenbet co-president Gan Ping Sieu said the respondents have conflicting views over the possible impact of reviving local council elections.

“While 58% want local council elections, another 67% think it will lead to more red tape. 

“There are also another 59% who think that this (local elections) won’t solve the issues plaguing the country,” Gan said at the launch of Cenbet survey on local council elections in Petaling Jaya today.

Last August, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamarudin said she needed three years to prepare the working paper on the proposal to implement local council elections for the cabinet’s approval.

She said that Putrajaya is doing early research to study the feasibility of the third vote being introduced in 2021. 

Zuraida said in the meantime, her ministry would organise public workshops and forums for all stakeholders, as well as collaborate with local councils to educate members of the public on local council elections.

Cenbet had carried out the survey in November involving 1,000 respondents across the country.

Gan also said not many of those polled were aware of the roles of the federal, state and local governments, with many not knowing their functions. 

According to the survey, only 19% scored more than two thirds on questions relating to the roles of various levels of government.

“If they have a pothole issue, some of them don’t know who they need to turn to. 

“So, this is why it is important for councillors to inform the people of their local rights.”

The survey also showed that only 43% were satisfied with the performance of their local authorities. 

Cenbet also found Chinese to be the most unhappy, with only 31% praising their local authorities, followed by Indians (45%) and Malays (47%). 

The survey also found 43% satisfied, 15% dissatisfied and 42% neutral on the overall performance of the local government. 

Survey respondents were divided on the impact of restoring local council elections.

Among the positive impact noted were higher effectiveness in governing the city (61%), better responsiveness (55%), and councillors taking responsibility (49%).

As for the negative impact, many were of the view there would be greater bureaucracy and a slower decision making process (65%), inconveniences of multiple voting (65%) and divided local communities (42%).

Gan said restoring local council elections will enable the government to keep its electoral pledge, and at the same time, enlarge the democratic space.

“To reap the benefits, the government needs to step up efforts to enhance political literacy among Malaysians.” – January 20, 2020.