KUALA Lumpur opposition lawmakers again asked to meet the federal territories minister and the mayor to discuss ways to help city folk in a myriad of urgent issues including Covid-19, flash floods, housing and unemployment.

They told The Malaysian Insight it was imperative they spoke with Annuar Musa and Mahadi Che Ngah to tackle these problems.

Annuar, who took office at the start of the pandemic in March, has yet to meet the MPs to discuss the issues affecting the people in the city.

Likewise, the MPs said it was important that they met with new mayor Mahadi.

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng said Annuar had been ignoring the lawmakers’ calls for a meeting.

“I first wrote to him (Annuar) in March and followed up the matter in parliament in July requesting for a formal meeting.

“KL opposition MPs also asked the same in an open letter on October 27,” the DAP lawmaker told The Malaysian Insight.

In the letter, the opposition MPs in KL reminded Annuar to prioritise governance and the interests of the people of Kuala Lumpur.

The MPs wish to discuss with Annuar next year’s budget for the constituencies and the reinstatement of the majlis menteri that was established by his predecessor Khalid Samad.

The MPs said Annuar’s continued avoidance of them and the issues at hand could only mean that the welfare and wellbeing of KL folk were last on the minister’s list of priorities.

Annuar, meanwhile, denied receiving any kind of invitation from the MPs to meet.

“A few have met me individually. A few came to the office, a few met me in parliament while others met me on my walkabout series.

“I’m ok with any of those. I have met MPs regularly irrespective of their political party. Once I have received their request I will act on it.”

Lim said the Federal Territories Ministry must look into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on   the people.

“The most pressing issue now is to ask City Hall, which has RM6 billion savings in fixed deposits, to give cash aid to the B40 group.

“It should also look into giving micro financing without interest to hawkers and e-hailing and taxi drivers.”

Lim also asked Annuar for cleaning and disinfection work to be carried out at least twice a week in Kepong.

“I also ask for free face masks and food baskets to be distributed to the needy in Kepong.”

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil said while Annuar has met with individual MPs, he has yet to organise a meeting with all of them.

“The FT minister (Annuar) in August said in parliament that he was willing to meet the MPs but he has yet to make good on his word.

“I hope he will find time to meet us because it is important for the voice of Kuala Lumpur to be heard. We want to work with him and City Hall as well.”

The PKR lawmaker said the MPs had feedback on policy issues to offer the ministry.

“For example, the parking system in Kuala Lumpur. If there is discussion, we can give input and some suggestions. He doesn’t have to necessarily follow them, but they are ideas.

“We have to speak on behalf of the people. I am representing the Lembah Pantai constituency, which has 176,000 residents.”

No time like the present

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said the previous FT minister and mayor used to meet with the lawmakers once every quarter,

“During Khalid’s time, we had meetings with him and the mayor once every three months.

“We managed to solve a lot of problems and City Hall was cooperative.“

Tan said he believed the new mayor was also “very hands on”.

Tan added that KL has not been able to achieve much improvement as it continues to face problems such as floods, overdevelopment and traffic congestion.

“We need that meeting as we have so many unresolved issues which require attention.”

 Tan said he also wished to raise the issue of half a dozen proposed developments in his constituency.

“These mixed developments will have a high population ratio. They will have a negative impact on the quality of life for the people here.”

Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said that a meeting with all MPs will allow them to work collectively to address issues that were raised.

“What’s important is to have a dialogue with the minister and mayor to address the issue of Covid-19 and economic growth.

“We need to intervene now. So that when the time for recovery comes we will be prepared.”

In his constituency, Nik Nazmi said the issue he wants to raise was the economic fallout the communities were facing due to the pandemic.

“This has to be addressed urgently. The people in low-cost housing have been affected by unemployment.

“We can see people struggling to earn a living. So this is urgent for KL.”

He said as parliament was in session, the MPs could meet the minister in the building.

“We can do it in parliament, since it’s not a big group and as long as we observe the standard operating procedures.”

Of the 11 members of Parliament representing constituencies in Kuala Lumpur, nine are from Pakatan Harapan while the remaining two are from Bersatu. – November 6, 2020.