NGOs anxious over drop in local council quotas
 |
A
group of NGOs have expressed concern over the declining number of NGO
representatives in Selangor local councils, and urged the state
government to retain the 25 percent quota for civil society groups.
They also wanted the state to be more transparent and accountable in the appointments and not give way to political party members who may "disguise themselves as representing NGOs."
"The NGOs' quota must be filled by recognised members of civil society or well-known individuals who champion human rights and social justice," said the Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) in a statement today.
Upon
coming into power in 2008, the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government had
promised that in lieu of a local government election, 25 percent of
local councillors will be drawn from civil society groups.
The term of incumbent councillors of the state's 12 local authorities will expire on Dec 31 and the appointments for the 2014/2015 term is currently underway.
CGG says that among others, the number of civil society representatives in the Petaling Jaya City Council has slid from six to four.
The group also says that there are only two councillors in Subang Jaya appointed under the NGO quota, one in Klang, and almost none in smaller councils.
It also expressed concern that some of the high-performing councillors appointed under the quota may be left out for the upcoming term with appointments "confined to horse trading among political parties" without consulting the NGOs.
"It is evident that the spirit of consultation and people's participation rank low with the Selangor State Government and it is saddening as in 2008 when the appointment process began, Selangor led the way by consulting and inviting nominations from civil society," said the group.
The group comprises Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Friends of Kota Damansara, Persatuan Sahabat Wanita, Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (Komas), and Dignity International.
They also urged Selangor exco member for local government, Teng Chang Khim (left), to deliver on his promise to reintroduce local government polls next year.
"We believe that the election of local councillors is still relevant and necessary to put into place as it will contribute towards the positive trajectory of greater democracy and accountable governance.
"Most importantly, the participation and representation from the NGOs must be included in the process as it is integral to the building of democratic governance," they said.
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They also wanted the state to be more transparent and accountable in the appointments and not give way to political party members who may "disguise themselves as representing NGOs."
"The NGOs' quota must be filled by recognised members of civil society or well-known individuals who champion human rights and social justice," said the Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) in a statement today.
Upon
coming into power in 2008, the Pakatan Rakyat-led state government had
promised that in lieu of a local government election, 25 percent of
local councillors will be drawn from civil society groups. The term of incumbent councillors of the state's 12 local authorities will expire on Dec 31 and the appointments for the 2014/2015 term is currently underway.
CGG says that among others, the number of civil society representatives in the Petaling Jaya City Council has slid from six to four.
The group also says that there are only two councillors in Subang Jaya appointed under the NGO quota, one in Klang, and almost none in smaller councils.
It also expressed concern that some of the high-performing councillors appointed under the quota may be left out for the upcoming term with appointments "confined to horse trading among political parties" without consulting the NGOs.
"It is evident that the spirit of consultation and people's participation rank low with the Selangor State Government and it is saddening as in 2008 when the appointment process began, Selangor led the way by consulting and inviting nominations from civil society," said the group.
The group comprises Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Friends of Kota Damansara, Persatuan Sahabat Wanita, Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat (Komas), and Dignity International.
They also urged Selangor exco member for local government, Teng Chang Khim (left), to deliver on his promise to reintroduce local government polls next year."We believe that the election of local councillors is still relevant and necessary to put into place as it will contribute towards the positive trajectory of greater democracy and accountable governance.
"Most importantly, the participation and representation from the NGOs must be included in the process as it is integral to the building of democratic governance," they said.
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