UNDI Saksama is deeply disheartened by Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin’s statement today that the government will not be going ahead with the proposal to reinstate local council elections due to sustained objections by several parliamentarians.

Given the government’s previously voiced commitment to studying the feasibility of local council elections, it is disappointing that the political sentiment surrounding this proposal has been regarded as insurmountable for its further advancement.

Undi Saksama would like to assert our belief and support for the government’s original plans to return Malaysians their Third Vote – the right to elect representatives to local councils.

Indeed, the central role occupied by local councils in day-to-day governance presents a clear and irrefutable need for electoral accountability fundamental to any working democracy.

We call upon lawmakers on all sides of the political spectrum to consider supporting the government’s original proposal in order to empower Malaysians to determine the quality of their local governments.

In the meantime, Undi Saksama will continue to play its part in educating the youth on the role and significance of local council elections to democracy and effective governance.

We look forward to future opportunities to assist the government in returning Malaysians their Third Vote; their rightful, local electoral mandate. – August 7, 2020.

* Undi Saksama is a youth campaign powered by Undi 18.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.