THERE is no necessity to revive the Federal Territories Ministry, as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Kuala Lumpur residents and lawmakers said.

They said it is redundant and will become a duplicate of Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

They said priority should be given to ensuring the welfare of the people.

They also questioned the need for the ministry when there is already a Federal Territories Department.

Save Kuala Lumpur chairman M. Ali said Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was wise to set up the department.

“The ministry will be redundant because we already have a Kuala Lumpur mayor. Therefore, there is no necessity to revive it.

“They should look at strengthening the departmental entity. They should focus on it,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

On Monday, Zahid said he hoped the ministry would be brought back in the event of a cabinet reshuffle.

The ministry was replaced by the department, which comes under the purview of the Prime Minister’s Department, in December last year.

The last federal territories minister was then Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, who held the portfolio from August 2021 until last year’s general election.

Ali said many people were not keen to have the the ministry, except those who have vested interest in it and their own agenda.

“Previously, there were land abuse cases in the city. Even the Kuala Lumpur Land and Mines Office was under the ministry,” he said.

Ali said the residents are still adamant on local council elections.

“We feel that the mayor should have a free hand,” he said, adding that the government should look into holding local council elections.

As for the post of federal territories minister, he said the decision lies solely with Anwar to make the recommendation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“There shouldn’t be any agenda for that post,” he said.

‘A secondary issue’

Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan said the reinstatement of the ministry is a secondary issue.

“The primary issue is whether the interests of Kuala Lumpur folk are being taken care of,” he said.

“If the people’s wellbeing is looked after, then the need for a ministry becomes a secondary matter.

“If the department is functioning, then just let it be.”

He said if the government is going to revive the ministry, then the minister must be functional, irrespective of party he or she is from.

“It must be someone who has the people’s interests at heart and practises good governance,” he said.

“In the past, there was misuse of power. We cannot afford that situation to recur.

“It’s a secondary issue whether he (minister) is from PKR or Umno. It must be on merit rather than a political appointment.”

He said the objective is to ensure that the city is being run smoothly with no interference.

“If things are going well, why change?” he asked.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai said bringing back the ministry is a regressive move.

“Many people will not be happy to see the return of the ministry,” he said.

“In the past, the ministry did nothing much for Kuala Lumpur in terms of uplifting the quality of life of the people.”

He said previously, there were a lot of scandalous land deals and the interference of the ministry in DBKL.

“If it is restored, then positions will have to be created and millions will be spent. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money,” Tan said.

“Then there is the overlapping of power between the minister and mayor.

“Our position is very clear: when Anwar abolished it (the ministry), we were happy. We will not welcome its revival.

“We also seek a democratically elected mayor via local council elections.” – October 7, 2023.