Recently a government proposal to study whether Kuala Lumpur’s mayor should be elected has sparked a debate over race, power and governance.
The study, announced by Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, will be conducted by the International Islamic University Malaysia, with findings expected in March.
However, critics, including Pas’ Takiyuddin Hassan, argue that electing a mayor could politicise Kuala Lumpur City Hall and weaken institutional effectiveness.
Takiyuddin, the Kota Bharu MP, has not provided any historical basis on how City Hall could be politicised and how a local government election could weaken institutional effectiveness.
It is obvious that he seeks to deny the reality that the aspirations of local communities for social justice and good governance within their vicinity have a political element, which is a natural inclination in a democratically progressive society.
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The issues, for example, brought up by domestic NGOs for local government considerations cannot divorce themselves completely from politics since there will be debates, approaches and opposing views on certain issues.
Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi wants his party to oppose any move towards electing Kuala Lumpur’s mayor, saying such a contest could be vulnerable to political manipulation and criminal networks.
In a Facebook post, Puad said the capital’s entertainment districts and alleged underworld activity meant a mayoral election could be influenced not only by party politics and racial sentiment but also by cartels and gangs.
“This is a serious issue. Kuala Lumpur has many entertainment centres, pubs, nightclubs, massage parlours and immoral activities. There are many underworld activities, cartels and gangsters,” he wrote.
The question is whether Puad is admitting that there are cartels and gangs creating an impact in Kuala Lumpur currently. If there is, why does the current system without a locally elected mayor fail to clean up Kuala Lumpur.?
If truly there exist cartels and gangsters in Kuala Lumpur, who are the people protecting them? Why are they not exposed?
What are the data and studies conducted over the years on the role of cartels and gangsters in a possible mayoral election?
If such a situation exists in Kuala Lumpur, does it not warrant an alternative form of government that could address corruption related to cartels and gangsters?
It is obvious these are the opinionated views by Pas and Umno leaders who have failed to provide scientific data or even alternative solutions that adhere to the common good.
The real motive for these ethno-religious parties to reject local government elections is the fear they may lose control over the narrative of race, religion and corporate interests that currently dominate mainstream politics.
A top-down ethno-religious authoritarian approach in disseminating political narratives enhances control over the masses. On the other hand, issues related to their own neighbourhoods and the cost of living could encourage grassroots multi-ethnic solidarity that could challenge elite interests.
Political parties that are consistently present at the grassroots to solve issues beyond the narrative of race and religion – such as scandals related to land ownership, factory workers and fisherfolk’s concerns and rights would no doubt benefit from a local government election.
The mainstream political parties that are tied to corporate elites and that use ethno-religious sentiment for control would certainly fear the revival of multi-ethnic and multi-religious grassroots politics that would elect a mayor.
This could be seen universally in places like New York, where lately its people elected a socialist who exposed the connection between elite politicians and big businesses linked to both the Republicans and Democrats.
Having local government elections would help broaden the perspective of the electorate towards parties or leaders who genuinely speak up for the local economy and for the common issues that transcend ethnicity and religion.
We have to understand the underlying motives of elite political leaders who oppose local government elections. What they want is to control the minds of the common people through the narrative of race and religion.
It is indeed disappointing that Pas and Umno are giving unsubstantiated opinions rather than waiting for a scientific study by University Islam Malaysia on the feasibility of electing a mayor in Kuala Lumpur. – Focus Malaysia
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