Community issues transcend parliamentary scrutiny


LATELY there has been a legitimate request by civil society and politicians that Parliament should be able to function amid the emergency proclaimed by the Perikatan Nasional government.

These calls are getting louder since there is lack of accountability, unemployment, economic contraction, and human rights issues. There are also politicians who are keen on current numbers in Parliament, which could be a basis to seize power and form a new government.

In this context of elite statement, debate and demands in the media, there is something significant and dynamic in the local context that seems to be loss in all political discourses.

The issues are related to community living within neighbourhoods, some divided on ethnic lines, where power is monopolised by one ethnic group, lack of aid to single mothers, flats where crimes rates are high and the absence of closed-circuit television in these premises. Issues related to land where people who lived for decades are ask to leave without just compensation, damage to roofs due tree fall that remains without attention by the local authorities.

What makes things worst when local politicians or counsellors tend to ignore a particular area, due to that area belonging to an opposition MP. The dominance of private interest seems to deny poor people who are living in private lands the legitimate safety and security that is much needed for human survival.

The community issues as stated seem to reveal the importance of the principle of subsidiary where issues should be resolve in the community level. Facilitation would be the key mediating skill in addressing community issues. It also requires effective local government structures that would effectively deliver solutions.

All these issues are simmering in places like Ipoh where local issues go unnoticed due to elite’s preoccupation with politicking.

The Association for Community and Dialogue (ACID) had the opportunity to assist the All-Parliamentary Group Malaysia on the sustainable development goals in Ipoh Barat constituency from April 8 to 10, where the above issues were observed, confirmed and analysed. The group’s role was to gather information on underlying issues of a particular constituency, and suggest solutions. These was done through approval and endorsement of Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran, who was keen to address some lingering problems in his constituency.

After meeting various grassroots communities with researchers, ACID participated in meeting with the group, Kulasegaran and the mayor’s team, on April 10.

From this meeting it was understood there have been feet dragging on various issues like land matters, abandoned buildings, lack of aid to deserving single mothers, and those who are very ill. These are due to short comings in the system where certain issues need to be referred to state government or national agencies that are slow and inefficient.

We were glad  the mayor was open to resolving various issues and he ensured us of his responsibility, to address some matters raised.

What is pertinent here is simmering community issues such as land matters, ethnic unity and local environment cannot be resolved effectively by national politicians.

Local empowerment is vital to deal with local government issues. Toward this end a local government election should be the way forward in resolving issues in a far efficient manner with reasonable and effective powers to local authorities.

It seems pertinent issues effecting communities transcend so-called parliamentary debates and oversight that national politicians are craving for. Politicians should spend more time with their communities to understand local dynamics that has national ramifications. – April 13, 2021.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

* 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.



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