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One of the promises by the PR to the people of Selangor is the introduction and implementation of the local government election. I appreciate the legal issues surrounding the implementation of the election which I have written about it before. In my opinion saying to do something but using the excuses of not being able to do so as a publicity stunt only reflects own weaknesses and lack of creativity. What had been done thus far is that the SSG had ONLY shown on the surface that that they wanted to do it but do not really want to do it!
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People like me lives in dangerous times and dangerous area. I had no choice as financially I cannot abandon my house and move to another area. I do not earn enough to rent elsewhere and service my present housing loan. Two weeks ago, I highlighted to MPAJ on the soil erosion problem on a slope that is located about 80m from my house. This week during my regular examination of my own house, shows that there is evidence of soil movement in my area. There are ample evidences from the drains to some structural gaps in my house walls. What we can do is remain alert, be aware of the early signs of failure and find ways to prevent another disaster.
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Several weeks ago, I took the issue of the proposed construction of 10 unit apartment in the BA Mosque compound to task. That resulted in the declaration that MBA mosque committee to halt and says that they intent to withdraw their application. I decided to take MPAJ to task for breaching several laws and guidelines in approving the project. After more than a month and repeated follow up, pressure and one email to the KSN, I got an email reply from one of the MPAJ last week.
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Now they say they HAVE NOT approve the project despite his original email and response from their officers saying otherwise. Another officer at MPAJ told me that I am the only one objecting the construction when other surrounding residents did not do so. Even the BA local council member did not object on the construction. My verbatim response to him is that MPAJ sought the feedback from 8 to 10 house owners and that cannot be considered as “All” and my local council member is a politician and DO NOT lives here in Bukit Antarabangsa. His non objection is probably cluttered by the political impact of the decision rather than evaluating it from safety perspective.
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If SSG is serious about having the residents in local council, they must not appoint party members and friendly NGO’s. They should appoint residents that is apolitical and has strong support of the local community. The essence of Local Council election is about giving the third power back to the people where governance at the locality is done by the people themselves.
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If election cannot be done find some other means to appoint people that that represent the masses. Right now the residents’ right’s as rate payer is not being respected. No one really knows whether the local council is managing its finances properly. Our current council members are not reviewing issues raised at the council meeting objectively. They do not do in-depth analysis of any issues brought forward to the meeting before approving or denying it. They merely follow the tempo of the Chairman.
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There are plenty of non political residents who are professionals within their own right that can contribute to the welfare of the residents by being on the local council. People who represent residents via their respective resident association are one of them. The government appointed JKP Zone is a political network that was created by BN and should be revamped. Its members must be elected by residents and not appointed by the local authority. We must not be ruled by politicians at every level of the society. As for the local council election and SSG, there is a popular Malay proverb that describe it well- “Hendak seribu daya, tak hendak seribu dalih”
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Dear Dr Rafick,
Nice to read this article and I agree with you. In fact I did propose to have a mini election to elect a new councillor replacing Sdr Ramakrishan, the current Senator elected by Selangor State Assembly. However the idea could not take off. Now I think it is the right time to continue raising the issue.
What is needed in local council is not only compentency, accountability and transpareny but also leadership, including political leadership.
We need to put in councillors and YDPs, whether they come from political parties or not, to lead the changes and reforms in the local council.
There are red-tapes and bureaucracy in local council and the civil servant are mostly trained and appointed by the federal government, or they follow the system set by the federal government. I wonder if the local council can be granted a free hand of themselves to have their own system.
Anyway, I am happy to read your piece and let’s share more view on the issue.
Thank you.
Weng San
Doc,
Politics have always been and will always be a ” top-down ” control. The leaders will know how to work with “crooks ” – power brokers, lobbyists and funders to throw money within the party to buy influence of members. That is why how much one say, the local councillors remain party loyalist and NGO in name only. Whether it is PR or BN , same same!
I guess, WE the citizen must find ways to change that..
There is a constraint being a member of any political party. You are expected to tow the line and vote according the the leader’s call notwithstanding that the candidate chosen by the party leader maybe not suitable.
Haris and gang can set the criteria expected of potential candidates but no matter what party leaders still call the shot. Unless SB info will convince party leaders that there is a high chance that candidates that they intend to field will likely loose.
The idea of enbloc voting may be the answer.
pcj
please tell me more on how to be influential and to have the necessary healing powers
power….. only have power rangers power!
Picojay
I disagree with you on your last statement that ” i m sure you realised by now you do not deliver”.
Delivery and expectation varies at different level of society.
You have no idea of what I achieved and had delivered as a role of ordinary citizen at a comunity level.
For e.g. Recently MPAJ approved the construction of 10 units of houses in sensitive area in BA. I took them to task and still engage them behind the scene. Their latest position as of last friday has now a reverse from their earlier stand. They say “project has not been approved”
I am now working at the next level where I want MPAJ to reject the application as the applicant did not meet requirements and MPAJ has not followed procedure.
I am doing things my own way for the community. Azmin is doing things on his own way for himself first, community second. That is the difference between me and azmin. If you are a resident of BA, you need to ask what Azmin has done in his capacity as ADUN for the resident here. I expect more than gracing functions.
A ship that rakyat places HOPES and without any delivery records