Councils powerless without new councillors

PETALING JAYA:The term for all local councillors in Selangor’s 12 local authorities ends Dec 31, but nominations for new ones has been postponed to Jan 31, next year, and this will render the local authorities powerless for a month.

Petaling Jaya city councillor Derek Fernandez said any action by the local authorities when the term of the councillors had ended could be challenged.

Fernandez said even the issuing of assessment notices might be open to challenge during the period.

As a statutory body, the local authorities need a minimum of eight councillors out of the 24 to be able to function.

Selangor has 12 local councils. They are Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ), Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA), Majlis Daerah Hulu Selangor (MDHS), Majlis Daerah Kuala Langat (MDKL), Majlis Daerah Kuala Selangor (MDKS), Majlis Daerah Sabak Bernam (MDSB), Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya (MPAJ), Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj), Majlis Perbandaran Klang (MPK), Majlis Perbandaran Selayang (MPS), Majlis Perbandaran Sepang (MPSepang), Majlis Perbandaran Subang Jaya (MPSJ).

Fernandez said some political parties not finalising their candidates list had led to the delay in naming the councillors.

“The DAP has submitted its full list while PAS and PKR have yet to submit theirs,” he said.

On rumours that non-governmental organisation (NGO) councillors will be dropped in the new line-up, Fernandez said the NGO quota should be respected.

“NGO councillors must be free from the rules of party discipline so that people’s interest will be taken care of,” he said.