UMNO Youth: Affordable Housing Must Take Priority Over Mayoral Elections
KUALA LUMPUR: The youth wing of UMNO has stressed that the Federal Territories Ministry should prioritise affordable housing and urban poverty issues instead of pursuing proposals for a Kuala Lumpur mayoral election.
UMNO Youth chief Akmal Saleh said there is currently no urgent need to introduce a public election system for the city’s mayor, as many fundamental socio-economic challenges remain unresolved.
He noted that rising living costs, limited access to affordable housing and income inequality continue to burden urban residents, particularly low-income families and Bumiputera communities.
“What is more pressing now is for the ministry to focus on implementing effective affordable housing programmes and addressing urban poverty,” he told Astro AWANI.
Akmal described the proposal for mayoral elections as a sensitive matter that requires careful consideration due to its potential social and political implications.
He said public welfare issues should take precedence over administrative reforms that do not directly improve people’s livelihoods.
“This issue has long been recognised as sensitive, especially among urban Bumiputera communities. It should not be discussed lightly without thorough evaluation,” he said.
He added that UMNO had previously opposed local council elections and continues to maintain the same position.
According to Akmal, the government’s priority should be to ensure that urban residents are not marginalised due to housing shortages and economic pressures.
“Our main responsibility is to guarantee access to affordable homes so that low-income families can enjoy a more secure and dignified life,” he said.
He also emphasised that the appointment of the Kuala Lumpur mayor falls under the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, expressing confidence in the monarch’s wisdom in selecting capable leaders.
His remarks followed a statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh, who said a study on local government elections is being conducted by Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia.
-wilayah.com.my
