KUCHING: Bersih Sarawak said it was “greatly troubled” when Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government would not entertain the federal government’s proposal to implement local council elections.
Abang Johari cited Sarawak’s local government autonomy and Malaysia Agreement 1963 as the main reason for his refusal.
Bersih Sarawak, however, said re-instating local council elections would increase the participation of Sarawakians in local governance and give them a voice on issues such as affordable housing, town/rural planning, public transportation, public health, sanitation and the environment including forest management.
It said unlike councillors appointed by political parties, elected councillors are accountable to ratepayers and those who elect them.
Without citing sources, Bersih Sarawak claimed that a growing number of people wish to get involved in the running of local councils via councillor elections.
