By Clara Chooi
IPOH, Nov 25 — The Perak government plans to increase the participation of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the running of local councils by invoking provisions under Local Agenda 21.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said that the current system, which the Barisan Nasional administration had adopted from the previous Pakatan Rakyat government, did not optimise the use of NGO talent because of the 30 per cent quota.
Under the PR system, 30 per cent of local councillor posts are given to professionals and non-political appointees, mainly representatives of NGOs.
“However, we are aware that there are many more NGO representatives out there who are willing to participate in local government administrations but because of the quota system, they may not make the cut.
“If we use Local Agenda 21, however, we can capitalise on this,” he told a press conference after chairing the weekly state executive councillor meeting here today.
Zambry said that under Local Agenda 21, the state government could form a “second layer” to the councillors, comprising only of NGO representatives.
According to state executive councillor for local government matters Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, the “second layer” would be involved in council matters and would play a pivotal role in aiding the local governments in sustainable development of the state’s 15 districts.
“They will also sit in during local council meetings,” he said.
Agenda 21 is an action plan towards global sustainable development that was amongst the five papers presented during the 1992 Earth Summit or United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro.
Zambry said the Housing and Local Government Ministry had already commissioned the setting up of Local Agenda 21 in Malaysia several years back.
“We might as well make full use of this and come up with a modus operandi on how to improve the effectiveness of our local councils by expanding the involvement of these NGOs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambry said that the state government had already identified several problematic councillors currently serving the local councils but has yet to finalise the list of names.
“We will not hesitate to discontinue their services during the new round of appointments. There will be no compromise on this,” he said, adding that the new team of local councillors would be appointed by early next year.
Zambry also issued a stern warning to all present and aspiring councillors to make sure they performed well or face the boot.
“Enough is enough. We do not care which political party they represent — if they fail to perform, we will discontinue them.
“We do not want these people to think that the appointments are merely privileges bestowed upon them by their leaders or given to them because of their unfaltering support to a certain leader. They must consider themselves as the people’s representatives too,” he said.
He added that the each councillor was subjected to key performance indicator (KPI) evaluations, which would value their services based on their achievements, attendance and effectiveness.
“If they fail, they will go,” warned Zambry.
On a separate matter, Zambry said the Health Ministry had given its thumbs-up to the state government’s request for allocations under the 10th Malaysia Plan to build new hospitals.
Among the state’s requests was an expansion for the present Tuanku Bainun Hospital here which will add a maternity and cardiology wing costing some RM200mil, as well as a brand new hospital in Parit Buntar, also costing some RM200mil.
Making Ipoh the most liveable city in Malaysia
When will this happen.........or is it already ?
ReplyDeleteThis is a good start and in the right direction.
Now NGO's please send your best men. As long as the interest of the environment and local resident well being is put priority, then, perhaps, we will see some benefit in this form of participation.
Don't let us down, NGO's. MNS - would you guys be involved ? Please do not repeat the turn around you guys made in the preservation of P. Redang repeat itself.