Sanusi Cautions Against Reviving Local Council Elections, Warns of Social Imbalance
ALOR SETAR: Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor has warned that reviving local council elections must be carefully evaluated, as it could disrupt social harmony and weaken local governance stability.
He said restricting voting rights to residents within local authority areas could result in imbalanced representation and unequal influence in municipal decision-making.
“For instance, in Kuala Lumpur, only residents under the Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur are allowed to vote, even though policies affect a wider population,” he said.
He was speaking at an event in Cairo, Egypt.
Concerns Over Dominance and Policy Bias
Sanusi noted that similar situations could emerge in cities such as Ipoh, George Town and Alor Setar, potentially allowing certain groups to dominate local councils.
“When one group becomes dominant, policies may be shaped more by sectional interests than by public needs,” he said.
He added that such developments could trigger dissatisfaction and weaken social cohesion.
Learning from Past Experience
Sanusi stressed the importance of learning from Malaysia’s history, particularly the May 13, 1969 incident, which he linked to ethnic tensions during the era of local government elections.
Following the tragedy, state governments adopted an appointment system for councillors to ensure balanced representation and social stability.
“This approach has helped maintain harmony without relying on electoral competition,” he said.
Call for Comprehensive Review
He urged the federal government to conduct thorough studies before making any major reforms to the local government system.
Previously, Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh said that the International Islamic University Malaysia is currently studying the feasibility of implementing local elections in Kuala Lumpur.
Sanusi emphasised that any reform should prioritise national unity and long-term public interest.
-wilayah.com.my
