Are fears of Malay power loss from local elections unfounded?

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Reinstatement of Local Government Elections May Benefit Malays, Not Cause Power Loss

Fears that Malays might lose power due to the reinstatement of local government elections are unfounded, and the move could potentially benefit Malay communities. Perak DAP leader Abdul Aziz Bari, a constitutional law expert, argued that Malay leaders opposing the proposal are basing their arguments on an outdated assumption that voting is solely along racial lines. He suggested that states like Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, and Perlis could see Malay-dominated local councils, a scenario that might also extend to Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
Historical Precedent and Democratic Roots

Aziz highlighted that the push for local government elections is not merely a tactic for DAP to consolidate urban dominance, but rather a mechanism to address grassroots concerns regarding daily life matters. He recalled that the foundation of Malaysia's first general election in 1955 can be traced back to the Kuala Lumpur municipal council election held three years prior. Malaysia last conducted local council elections in 1963, with these polls permanently abolished in 1976 through the Local Government Act, which mandated the appointment of councillors.
Addressing Concerns and Potential Benefits

The argument that Malays would lose power stems from a belief that voting patterns are exclusively racial. Aziz countered this by suggesting that local elections could lead to Malay-dominated councils in several states, potentially even in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, implying a benefit rather than a loss of power. He urged Malay leaders to abandon this fear-mongering and acknowledge the potential positive outcomes of democratising local governance.
Structural Considerations and Internal Discussion

While the proposal to reinstate local elections has been raised, former federal territories minister Khalid Abdul Samad pointed out that significant structural changes are necessary. He noted that Kuala Lumpur City Hall currently has no positions for local councillors, indicating that beyond reinstating elections, a foundational overhaul of the administrative structure is required. Khalid also advocated for internal discussions within the Pakatan Harapan coalition to present a united front on the matter, rather than allowing individual party pronouncements to create divisions.
Prioritising Governance Matters

The current Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa, indicated that more immediate governance issues, such as the management of strata properties, should take precedence over the debate surrounding the reintroduction of local council elections. This suggests a broader perspective on immediate priorities within the federal territories administration.

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Are fears of Malay power loss from local elections unfounded?

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