KUCHING, Aug 1: The state government should appoint non-political individuals and professionals to become local councillors or community leaders.
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru president, Bobby William, said the appointment of non-political individuals in office, especially those active with NGOs, would create a third force of justice and equality for the community.
“Political interests had played major roles in local government for years, they have to stop. It is high time that the local councillors not have political affiliations so they can be fair to all community. This would be good for the people’s rights,” he added in a statement today.
Bobby said the government must a draw a line in politics on certain matters.
“It is common knowledge that things, which can benefit political interest due to affiliation, would only create unnecessary cronyism. History has proven this in both the state and country as a whole,” he opined.
However, Bobby expressed support to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg for the state to maintain autonomy over its local government, as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Yesterday, Abang Johari rejected the proposal by the federal government to take over the state local government for the purpose of streamlining it with the rest of the country because it is the state’s right safeguarded by the Federal Constitution and the MA63.
“Those who made the suggestion were ignorant because they were new in the federal government.
“They just want to tell us that they are in power so they want to take over our local government,” Abang Johari told reporters after witnessing the swearing-in of 750 councillors from 24 local councils before the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, here. — DayakDaily
