Reviving local elections challenges KL’s governance framework, says feasibility report
It suggests a possible conflict with the constitutional position accorded to the Selangor sultan under the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Agreement 1974.
A recent feasibility report challenges the possibility of reviving local elections in Kuala Lumpur, arguing that it could conflict with the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur Agreement of 1974. This agreement established the capital city as a federal territory and defined its administrative structure, which includes an advisory board with the Sultan of Selangor retaining the right to appoint two members.
According to the report by International Islamic University Malaysia, proposing local government elections could contradict this agreed-upon structure and potentially threaten the sultan's constitutional position during the territory's transfer. The report further asserts that Kuala Lumpur's administration was founded on the principle that it belongs to all Malaysians, not just its residents, implying that policy decisions should ultimately remain in the hands of the nation's governing body.
This perspective is supported by the fact that federal taxpayers fund major infrastructure projects in the city. Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng previously suggested that Parliament could amend the Federal Capital Act to establish a city council with a majority of elected members, but acknowledged that adjustments to relevant Local Government Act provisions would be necessary before empowering the Election Commission to conduct local elections.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
