DPM says Malaysia democratic despite lack of local government elections

PUTRAJAYA: Even without local government elections, Malaysia is still a democratic country, says Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
He said the government does not see the need to revive local government elections, which were held between the 1950s and 1960s, deeming it not practical.
"It is not proper to say there is no democracy in the country, as we are among the most democratic countries around, having held elections at parliamentary and state levels," he told reporters after chairing the Cameron Highlands flood and landslide disaster special committee meeting at Putra Perdana here with various Perak government agencies today.
Muhyiddin noted that those interested in the implementation should realise the implications it could have on the local community.
"Perhaps some quarters want the local councils to be autonomous (with the elections), and by doing so, they might not get funding for the local government elections.
"Therefore, they might have to increase taxes and licensing fees to support the elections," he said, adding that many councils are in deficit, and being financially assisted by the federal government.
Muhyiddin pointed out that other problems would include possible unfair racial representation in the councils and low turnout for local government elections.
"We have a system in place where the local government councillors are appointed by the state government to develop the area," he added.
In 2013, the Penang state government, under Pakatan Rakyat, had tried to lobby for local government elections and had challenged a provision in the Local Government Act 1976 which prevented state legislatures from holding local government elections within their states, in court.
However, in August last year, the Federal Court ruled that state governments had no jurisdiction to conduct local elections as it could not unilaterally suspend the provision.
Meanwhile, Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said more input and views are needed before deciding if caning will be outlawed in the new Child Act.
He said such an issue has to be discussed in detail before it could be implemented.
"Nothing has been finalised at the moment. We have to get views as there are quarters who find it fit for children to be caned, and others do not," he said, adding that these are views from both Muslims and non-Muslims.
Muhyiddin added that caning would be the best punishment if the child is deemed "too naughty".
However, he cautioned that the caning should not turn violent or abusive.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim was reported as saying that caning children would be a criminal offence if the new legislation to replace the Child Act 2001 was passed by Parliament.
However, the ministry then clarified that what was proposed in the new act was for a more detailed provision on actions which cause physical or mental injuries to children including caning.
On Cameron Highlands, Muhyiddin said so far, the local authorities have cleared 177.03ha of 2,258.2ha of illegal land there.
He added that the local government will demolish more of these illegally developed land in the future, with the cooperation of other agencies, including the police and army.
Muhyiddin also said the state government is expected to produce a plan within six months to ensure the sustainability of the environment in Cameron Highland is not affected.
He also said that the government will allocate RM40 million to the state Drainage and Irrigation Department to repair the irrigation system in the Bertam valley to prevent flash floods from recurring.