Pakatan Rakyat doing a U-turn over local elections

Nurul Iman Dimyati, fz.com

Did Pakatan Rakyat lie to voters when it promised local government elections during the general election campaign six years ago?

Selangor executive councillor (Exco) member, Datuk Teng Chang Khim today indicated that while the Local Government Election Bill is ready to be tabled,  Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is now in two minds over gazetting it into law.

“Actually, the bill is ready and has been presented to be gazetted but was retracted due to request from a party within Pakatan Rakyat.

“I have presented this matter twice however I am still waiting for the agreement from a party within Pakatan Rakyat. Until today, I have yet to receive the green light to present it to the State Assembly,” said Teng told the State Assembly during the question and answer session today.

The Sungai Pinang assemblyman said without the green light from the party, the bill will not receive support from the State Assembly’s members.

He also urged other members to pressure the party to give the green light so that he can do his job.

“I urge all members, if you are still interested in this matter, please demand the party to give the green light so that I can carry out my responsibility,” he said.

The question was raised by Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran on the development of the preparation for the local government elections for Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Rajiv also raised the question whether the proposal of the local government election will include the Mayor’s seat.

According to Teng, based on the plans for the state’s local government election it is only for the election for the local council members.

Any plans to include the Mayor seat will be look at in the next step once the elections have been successfully done to choose local council members.

On whether there were any other obstacles on the matter, Teng reiterated that an agreement has yet to be received and is still in the process of getting it.