THE INCREASE in the number of councillors for local councils from the present 25 to 30 was regarded as timely and very much welcomed by Dr Annuar Rapaee (BN – Nangka).
According to him, the additional five councillors for all local governments in the state provided opportunities for locals to be leaders.
“The move to increase the number of councillors is crucial because we have to give the younger generation the chance to participate in leadership opportunities,” he said when debating the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2013 at the 17th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.
However, Dr Annuar was disappointed at Ting Tze Fui’s (DAP-Meradong) call to introduce an election system for councillors, deeming such a system ineffective.
“Introducing an election system for councillors is not the solution for a more effective local government as this would not only waste money but encourage politicking. If we were to implement this, I believe politics will continue to spread within the system,” he said.
Dr Annuar opined that the call for an election system by Ting was perhaps due to confidence that they can win should there be an election in the local government.
“Therefore without an election, the opposition has no platform to carry out its duties.”
Dr Annuar commended the councillors for continuing to carry out their responsibilities despite not being paid a regular allowance.
“The majority of the councillors’ duties are on a voluntary basis and they are only paid when a meeting is held.
“I’m not saying that I’m supporting councillors who have been described as ‘goyang kaki’ (shaking their legs) but at least most of them are doing their part to ensure the local government of the area is well-maintained,” he said and urged for elected representatives to work with the local councils.