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Counselling LOCAL COUNCILS Dr Goh Ban Lee LOCALCOUNSEL Counselling Local Councils I II Counselling Local Councils Dr Goh Ban Lee Supported by Federation of Malaysian Consumers’ Association (FOMCA) Education and Research Association for Consumers Malaysia (ERA) III IV Foreword As Malaysia strives to become a developed country, apart from chasing impressive economic data, there should also be efforts towards a better quality of life. Specifically, more resources should be directed to making the towns and cities more livable with clean environment, efficient public transportation, pleasant parks, vibrant business centres, relaxing watering-holes and pleasant neighbourhoods. This calls for good urban governance, which in turn depends largely on effective and efficient mayors, councillors and municipal officers. It also depends on effective citizen participation. Although we have been denied the rights to elect our local representatives, we can still play important roles in the development and management of the towns and cities. But we have to be well-informed especially about contemporary urban issues, the roles and workings of local authorities and good practices in urban management. A readable commentary and discussion on these topics can be found in Dr Goh Ban Lee’s fortnightly articles in theSun. He has made use of his academic background and knowledge in urban affairs to provide insightful observations and explanations on emerging municipal issues and the workings of the local authorities. His knowledge and interest in urban issues are not only based on years of academic research, but also on his experience as a councillor in the Penang Island Municipal Council. I am glad that Fomca and Era are able to fund the publication of this book. This will facilitate easy access to the articles and hopefully enable consumers of municipal services play a more active and effective role in the development and management of their towns and cities. At the very least, the articles should enable urban residents to understand why things are the way they are. I am also confident that municipal leaders and officers and those who have influence over them will find the articles useful in their endeavour to make urban Malaysia a better place to live and work. Datuk N. Marimuthu, P.J.N., A.M.N., A.M.P., P.J.K., President Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA). May 2007 V o VI Preface In 2002, I wrote a book entitled “Non-compliance – A Neglected Agenda in Urban Governance” to try to explain why Malaysian towns and cities were dirty, unpleasant and haphazard despite municipal rules and regulations, urban planning and urban management. As such, when given a chance to write a fortnightly column in theSun focusing on urban governance, I accepted wholeheartedly. It was an opportunity to have a “live” commentary on the workings of the local authorities and the behaviour of Malaysians. The book is a compilation of the articles in theSun from July 2002 to December 2006. They are not exposures of wrong doings of the local authorities. Rather, as the name of the column, Local Counsel, indicates, they are explanatory and advisory. They strive to provide contexts for breaking news related to urban governance. Invariably, they also include criticisms or commendations and advice. In the process, many articles provide historical background, related laws and by-laws governing the workings the local authorities or examples of good practices. I would like to thank theSun, particularly Zainon Ahmad, the Deputy Chief Editor, for giving me a column to express my views publicly and on record. It was Zainon who came up with the intriguing “Local Counsel”. As an academic used to writing articles of tens of thousands of words to convey a message, it was a challenge to say anything in about 750 words. I am thankful to the editorial staff of theSun for not only providing good editorial services, but also allowing critical views to be published. It usually takes months if not years to get an academic paper published. It takes even longer for readers to comment, if at all they do. Reactions to articles in the newspaper are instantaneous. So far, they have been rewarding and encouraging. I am well aware that the opportunity to write in the public space comes with a heavy responsibility. As such, the issues and messages, including the choice of words, are carefully considered, taking into account the sensibilities of Malaysians. Nevertheless, if things need to be said, they are said, sometimes hurting the feelings of those I generally hold in high regards. On the whole, the articles are critical of the workings of the local authorities and the behaviour of Malaysians. I am aware that the conditions of Malaysian towns and cities, in terms of cleanliness, traffic, environmental quality, investment climate and quality of life, are generally better than those of most urban areas of developing countries. But in view of the rapid economic development of the country, Malaysians should have a better quality of life that is close to that enjoyed by residents of developed countries. VII Furthermore, many Malaysians are now travelling far and wide and have seen and experienced the comfort, sights and sounds of livable cities. There are thus expectations that our towns and cities provide similar living and working conditions. I acknowledge that managing Malaysian towns or cities is no walk in the park, especially in view of diverse interest groups, rapid urbanization, shortage of funds and interference by politicians. There is also the malaise of Third World mentality. But all municipal leaders face similar challenges; yet we see many examples of livable cities. In this book, there are 112 articles categorised under 12 headings. For obvious reasons, some articles do not fit neatly into the categories. The dates appearing below the titles refer to the days the articles appeared in theSun. On the whole, the articles are the same as those in the newspaper except in very few cases where minor amendments have been made for editorial purpose. Similarly, some titles have been changed. The cover was jointly designed by Alina Choong and Cho We Jun. I am grateful for their contribution. I am also thankful to the Federation of the Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) and Education and Research Association for Consumers Malaysia (ERA), particularly their President, Datuk N. Marimuthu, for publishing the book. As all urban residents are consumers of local council services, it is hoped that the articles are useful in their struggle for a better quality of life. Goh Ban Lee Penang May 2007 VIII Contents Foreword Preface Chapter 1 Specials 1.1 Celebrating ties among cities..........................................................................2 1.2 Let’s work to get rid of Aedes ........................................................................5 1.3 No easy street for winners ..............................................................................8 1.4 Helpful MPs can hurt work ethics ................................................................11 1.5 Integrity by example.....................................................................................13 1.6 Eradicating urban poverty ............................................................................17 1.7 Dear Minister of Housing and Local Government........................................19 1.8 Dreams and nightmares of rural-urban migration.........................................23 1.9 Making of the 9th Malaysia Plan...................................................................26 1.10 Poor guardians of decency............................................................................29 Chapter 2 Local Democracy 2.1 Local government polls a lesser evil ...........................................................34 2.2 Polls no panacea for council ills...................................................................37 2.3 Basic right to decide local government ........................................................40 2.4 Brief history of local government elections .................................................43 2.5 Athi Nahappan Report calls for elections ....................................................46 2.6 Let public check the mayor’s powers ...........................................................49 2.7 Agenda for local democracy and good governance .....................................52 2.8 Good job, PJ residents..................................................................................55 2.9 Empowering rate-payers...............................................................................58 2.10 A politician for KL mayor............................................................................61 2.11 Less politics in selecting councillors ...........................................................64 Chapter 3 Good Urban Governance 3.1 Good urban governance................................................................................68 3.2 Dog licence - don’t drag the neighbours in...................................................71 3.3 MPSJ should come clean on food court saga................................................74 3.4 Licensing consultants not the way................................................................77 3.5 Corruption in local authorities......................................................................80 3.6 Fines for parking on pavements long overdue..............................................83 3.7 On the spot fine for littering