UMNO has been urged to establish a special secretariat to mount a formal objection to a proposed study on holding elections for the position of Kuala Lumpur mayor, amid warnings that such a move could undermine security, governance and the independence of local administration.
UMNO Supreme Council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi said the party must respond decisively to the proposal, in a manner similar to its organised opposition to the proposed Urban Renewal Bill.
He described the idea of electing the Kuala Lumpur mayor as a serious issue with far-reaching implications for the capital city.
“Kuala Lumpur has many entertainment outlets, pubs, nightclubs, massage centres and immoral activities. There are also various underworld activities, cartels and gangsters,” he said in a Facebook post on Monday.
“Not only will such an election be influenced by political parties and racial sentiments, it also has the potential to be influenced by cartels and gangsters,” he added.
Mohd Puad’s comments followed earlier reports that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh had instructed her ministry to conduct a feasibility study on holding elections for the Kuala Lumpur mayoral post.
According to Mohd Puad, the proposal raises concerns that the electoral process could be shaped by partisan politics and racial considerations, and manipulated by vested interests, including organised crime.
“Imagine in Kuala Lumpur, gangsters using their money and networks to support certain candidates. The mayor’s office would no longer be independent,” he said.
He further argued that unlike civil servants, who can be subjected to disciplinary action for misconduct, an elected mayor would be protected by a fixed term of office.
“If civil servants commit an offence, disciplinary action can be taken, but a mayor elected through an election would have to wait until the end of their term,” he said.
Calling for immediate action, Mohd Puad stressed that UMNO must take a firm stand on the matter.
“Therefore, UMNO must object. UMNO needs to immediately form a special secretariat to present a counter-response, just as UMNO did when opposing the Urban Renewal Bill,” he said.
