Selangor Journal
The Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) holds a public hearing session to evaluate the performance of local authorities (PBTs) at the Selangor state legislative assembly building, here, on February 20, 2020. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI

Creating check and balances in local councils

By Ashwin Kumar

SHAH ALAM, Feb 26 — The Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) had on February 20 held a fruitful public hearing session to evaluate the performance of local authorities (PBTs) in the state.

The 17 witnesses present during the session had involved resident association (RA) representatives, mayors, as well as members of the Selangor state executive council (exco).

Chaired by Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim, Selcat is represented by Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Elizabeth Wong, Hulu Kelang assemblyman Saari Sungib, Banting assemblyman Lau Weng San, and Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaluddin.

Other members also include Sungai Air Tawar assemblyman Rizam Ismail and Sijangkang assemblyman Ahmad Yunus Hairi.

Held at the Selangor state legislative assembly building, the issues raised during the hearing had varied from the efficiency of PBTs in managing public complaints to developing a system to evaluate local councillors’ performance.

Satisfactory Feedback

Several RAs had given positive feedback on the efficiency of the PBTs.

Representatives under the purview of the Kuala Langat District Council (MDKL), Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) had told Selcat they were generally satisfied with the overall performance.

Taman Wira RA’s representative Abu Bakar Abdullah was quick to commend MDKL’s effectiveness in handling public complaints.

MPSJ RA chairman AB Naicker, who also heads the SS17 Rukun Tetangga, said the Subang Jaya local council had played a proactive role, particularly when addressing issues concerning the people, despite minor hiccups.

Public Engagement

SS25A Petaling Jaya RA representative Lim Chin Chye had urged for the PBTs to engage more with the communities on a regular basis.

“The residents of Petaling Jaya come from various backgrounds — different age groups and educational background — some prefer to interact personally with the local councillors,” he said.

Damansara Utama Zone 5 RA representative Habeeb Rahman Anwardeen had proposed that local councillors should act as liaisons between residents and the PBTs.

State Assemblyman as Local Councillors

Port Klang assemblyman Azmizam Zaman Huri had suggested the appointment of state representatives as local councillors to improve the competency of public service.

He said state assemblymen play an important role in bridging the gap between the state administration and local councillors and for the latter to better understand state policies.

Jeram ADN Mohd Shaid Rosli echoed similar views and said it would help in resolving PBT-related issues.

“It would be easy to convey important issues to both the public and the media. Previously, several assemblymen were not aware of both the PBTs’ and its council members’ contribution to the people,” he said.

Allowance Hike

Selcat took note on the RM2,500 allowance received by local councillors, which was said to not be at par with the task at hand.

Its chairman Ng said post-2008, the state government had emphasised on transparency and that local council member should not be involved in the tender committee, therefore the allowance should be on par with the works done by the councillors.

“There were suggestions that local councillors should be better compensated for their roles due to increased responsibilities and workload.

“Some RA representatives say the current RM2,500 monthly allowance is not enough,” said Ng, while noting that a monthly allowance for Selangor councillors over a decade ago was between RM300 to RM500.

KPI for Local Councillors

MBPJ Mayor Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar suggested that a measurable assessment method, such as the key performance index (KPI), should be introduced to monitor the works done by the local council members.

“It is time for the KPIs to be introduced and this should be considered by the state government,” he said.

In response, Ng said the Selcat committee had agreed to bring the motion to the state government to implement the KPI.

Upskilling, Clearer Job Scope

Wrapping up the public hearing session, Ng said that the committee was informed on the lack of guideline to evaluate the performance of the local council members.

Selangor Local Government, Public Transportation and New Village Development Committee chairman Ng Sze Han, however, said the local councillors had received the guidelines or job scopes upon their appointment.

He said the basic courses and training are also conducted and had suggested additional training to be given to improve the performance of local councillors.

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