KUALA Lumpur residents are strongly against the revival of the Federal Territories (FT) Ministry.

They said the Federal Territories Department (FTD), which replaced the ministry under the unity government, is good enough in managing the territories.

They, however, said more clarity is needed on its functions and operations.

Save Kuala Lumpur chairman M. Ali said FTD should be able to do a proper job with it being under the Prime Minister’s Department.

“You don’t need someone (minister) to manage (the federal territories). The procedures and processes are already in place (for FTD to function) and give proper directions,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“What has the FT Ministry done before this? There is no necessity for it as it is redundant.”

Ali said political parties should not get involved and should only focus on serving the constituents.

At the recent Umno annual general meeting, Federal Territories delegate Gulam Muszaffar Gulam Mustakim proposed the revival of the FT Ministry.

He said FTD had failed to bring new directions in the past seven months due to limited powers and allocations.

“Coupled with the busy schedule of PM (Anwar Ibrahim), who is also the finance minister and de facto FT minister, he is unable to focus on issues in the federal territories, as well as policies,” he said.

Last December, Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali announced that FTD has been restructured and placed under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department.

The FT Ministry was last helmed by Shahidan Kassim, prior to the dissolution of parliament on October 10.

Ali said previously, the FT Ministry had wide powers and made Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) subservient to the minister.

“Previously, the Kuala Lumpur mayor was just executing what the minister wanted,” he said.

“The mayor should not be answerable to the FT minister as that will not give him the freedom and flexibility to carry out his duty.”

He also said the mayor and councillors should be elected and be answerable to Kuala Lumpur residents.

“We must have local council elections. So don’t talk about bringing back the FT Ministry or minister. We don’t want that,” he said.

Ali said FTD must start functioning.

“This is a new department, so we should give them time to settle in, just like the unity government,” he said.

“The department will need clear directions. Of course, in this initial stage, it will not bring immediate results.”

‘Not action-oriented anymore’

Brickfields Rukun Tetangga chairman S.K.K. Naidu said there must be clarity on FTD’s operations.

“We hope to see FTD action in Brickfields,” he said.

Naidu said the residents have sent several letters to the mayor on problems in their area, but have yet to receive any reply.

“We have also requested to see him (mayor), but were told his appointments were full,” he said.

“DBKL directors and officers are not action-oriented anymore.”

He said the residents are requesting that Brickfields be made a disabled-friendly zone.

“This is where the Malaysian Blind Association’s office is located and where many blind people live,” he said.

“So we have requested tact-tiles for the pavements.” – June 16, 2023.