DBKL halts advisory board meetings on PM Department’s order
THE Federal Government has directed Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) to suspend all meetings with its advisory board members until further notice.
(The Star) – Kuala Lumpur mayor Tan Sri Mohd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz said DBKL had received the directive from the Prime Minister’s Department.
Asked if any members had resigned, Amin Nordin said no and that he was waiting for further instructions.
The current board members were appointed by the previous administration, where more than half of them are political appointees.
“We were told to put everything on hold. No meetings, nothing.
“This is expected since more than half of the current members are political appointees from the previous administration,’’ said the source.
Who are the board members?
Based on the Rules and Regulations of the Advisory Board of the City of Kuala Lumpur 1989, the board must have 15 members, with the Federal Territories Ministry, Finance Ministry, and the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department having one representative each, as well as two representatives from the Selangor government.
The remaining members must have knowledge on local government issues, and professionals with expertise on commerce or industries to represent the needs and interests of the local community.
A check on DBKL’s website showed that 13 people from the previous administration were still listed as members (until 2019).
Out of the 13, eight are political appointees from the former Barisan Nasional government.
There is representation from the Bukit Bintang, Seputeh, Bandar Tun Razak and Putrajaya Umno party and one representative each from MCA, Gerakan, MIC and MyPPP.
The board also consists of one representative each from the Selangor government, EPU, and Federal Territories Ministry, as well as an architect and a businessman.
What will happen to the current board members?
According to legal expert on local government issues Derek Fernandez, advisory board members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the Prime Minister as stipulated in the Federal Capital Act 1960.
“Under Section 6 of the Federal Capital Act 1960, the appointment of the advisory board members is by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“However, according to the Federal Constitution, the Agong will act on the advice of the Prime Minister,’’ Fernandez said.
The board members are public servants for the purposes of the law.
“Apart from the two representatives from Selangor who are required to be appointed by the state government, the remaining members are appointed by the Federal Government.”
He added that aside from the Selangor representatives who can’t be removed unless the state government revokes their appointment, the others can, but subject to the terms and conditions of their letter of appointment.
“But under Section 47 of the Interpretation Acts of 1948 and 1967, it says the power to appoint also includes the power to remove.
“The Government must inform the Agong if they want to remove the (current) board members because they serve at the pleasure of His Majesty,” said Fernandez.
