{
  "id": 15185381,
  "title": "Local elections blocked by state govt fear of losing revenue, says Muda",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/local-elections-blocked-by-state-govt-fear-of-losing-revenue-says-muda",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-17T11:34:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/17/local-elections-blocked-by-state-govt-fear-of-losing-revenue-says-muda"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysian Deputy President Zaidel Baharuddin, from the Muda party, argued for introducing directly elected mayors in Kuala Lumpur as a pilot project for local democracy. State governments, he claimed, fear losing revenue if local councils become elected as their revenue primarily comes from property assessment taxes, licences, and other fees. Local councils also execute state policies on land use and development.\n\nBaharuddin noted that opposition to local elections is not exclusive to Barisan Nasional, but is shared by political parties on both sides. He suggested that state governments face constitutional and financial constraints, making local councils crucial sources of revenue and tools for implementing state policies. However, when mayors are not elected, they are not accountable to the people, Baharuddin argued.\n\nHe proposed that Kuala Lumpur residents, who can currently vote for MPs but have no representation at the state level, should be given a directly elected mayor. This would allow for electoral competition and increased accountability. Baharuddin dismissed concerns about election complexity, proposing voter eligibility verification through property assessment receipts or utility bills showing two to three years of residency for tenants.\n\nA senior lecturer at Universiti Malaya's public policy institute, Helmi Abu Yahya, attributed the absence of local council elections to a lack of political will among ruling parties. Malaysia lacks dedicated independent bodies to monitor local government performance and advocate for municipal reform, he added. Public turnout at town hall meetings is low, making it difficult for working residents to attend and participate in planning and zoning meetings.",
  "summary": "Muda deputy president Zaidel Baharuddin says opposition to local elections extended to political parties on both sides, and was no longer confined to Barisan Nasional.",
  "key_points": [
    "Muda party's Zaidel Baharuddin proposes directly elected mayors in Kuala Lumpur.",
    "State governments fear losing revenue from property taxes and fees if councils are elected.",
    "Baharuddin suggests voter verification through property assessments or utility bills."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Local elections blocked by state govt fear of losing revenue, says Muda",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/local-elections-blocked-by-state-govt-fear-of-losing-revenue-says-muda-15186600",
        "published": "2026-10-17T11:34:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}