An interview given by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday during which he zeroed in on his fight to eliminate corruption caught my attention.
So did reports circulating over the past week about local government development minister Nga Kor Ming looking to engage experts to address housing issues across the country.
Having worked closely with many local authorities over the years, it did not escape me that there has always been a close correlation between the two issues: corruption and local authorities.
By and large, our local authorities have the final say in many land development projects, including housing.
Unfortunately, they have not been too successful in resolving the housing woes of the urban poor. In fact, I would say that across the board their performance has been mediocre at best.
Nga is aware of the problem and the shortcomings of our local authorities.
Current housing development policies and practices are far from satisfactory, usually favouring developers instead of the rakyat, who, it seems, are getting a very raw deal.
Although only the third tier of government, our local authorities are powerful “little Napoleons” with their own sets of by-laws and regulations. These are frequently turned into weapons in aid of corruption.
Land matters
Currently, there are a total of 155 local authorities in Malaysia (including Sarawak and Sabah) consisting of:
- 19 city councils, including the largest, the Kuala Lumpur city hall, mid-sized ones like the Kuching North city council, and the smallest, the Kuala Terengganu city council;
- 39 municipal councils, including those in Sepang, Sibu and Tawau;
- 92 district councils, which administer in places like Dungun, Mukah and Kudat; and
- 5 special councils, including those which govern regions such as Putrajaya and Iskandar.
Perhaps of all their powers, the one which makes these local governments appear all-powerful and imposing is their control over land and building matters.
Without their approval, no development plan (DP) can be carried out and no building erected.
Approval means power, and power can easily be abused in exchange for corrupt money.
In the past, many property developers worked hand-in-glove with local authorities to get their DPs approved with minimum fuss and on favourable terms and conditions.
Quite often, such terms are negotiated corruptly. They may involve securing the maximum allowable building-plot ratios, reducing the setback of road reserves, limiting green spaces and parking lots, adjusting the road traffic volume, and improving public transport amenities and schedules.
These allow a developer to limit the funds required to be set aside for a project’s infrastructure.
Once a DP is approved, developers must train their focus on compliance with building by-laws.
Here again, their appointed contractors are often able – through corruption – to skirt around design specifications and dimensions, and get away with reducing sewage and drainage outlets as well as using inferior materials and dummy firefighting systems.
The local authorities, through their officers, architect, engineers, technicians and inspectors, are supposed to be the guardians of public interests.
As the eyes and ears of the public at large, they must ensure strict adherence to the highest planning, building and environmental standards.
Yet, such standards are often not attained, usually on account of corruption. Instead, these officers are comfortable having their pockets lined by developers and contractors.
Dirty towns
At operational level, the staff of these local authorities must also be active in enforcement, but choose otherwise.
How else do you explain why some ‘mamak’ shops are allowed to place tables and chairs along the pavements and even on public roads?
Dirty eateries continue to throw waste and wastewater directly into open drains. Where are the councils’ health inspectors?
Who gives approval to tow truck operators to tow away illegally parked cars? Many motorists end up being charged exorbitant fees for this unnecessary service.
Who gives approvals for unipole advertising boards, clubs, bars and massage parlours?
The sorry state of our cities and towns reflects the misplaced policies of our local authorities, their uncontrolled malpractices and low standards set over the years.
Single race
A check on the websites of our local authorities will tell you they are predominantly staffed by a single race.
This would probably be fine if they were all technically competent and professional in their roles and responsibilities, and not corrupt. But the performance of many among them tell us a different story.
Local authorities are a closed service authority, where staff and workers are hired directly by the authority itself, and are not transferable to other government agencies, pensionable and cannot be terminated.
However, the position of head of the authority is reserved for administrative and diplomatic service (PTD) officers only.
This is a public service policy which we have adopted and practiced for many years.
Nurul Izzah can make a difference
With the prime minister’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, now part of the administration, this is one important area where she can make a difference.
Instead of advising on the economy and finance, which she has little or no experience in, she should be tasked with transforming the set up and operations of our local councils.
No doubt, the transformation of the 155 local authorities represents a massive task, but its success will see the eradication of rampant corruption, while ensuring that our rakyat, especially the urban poor, have access to better housing. It will also turn our cities and towns into smart 21st century urban environments.
Given her post-graduate qualifications in the field of public policy, her close working relationship with many of those in government, and her popularity, Nurul Izzah is the right person for this job.
Reporting to Nga instead of her own father, all talk of nepotism can be put to rest once and for all.
The question is: Is she game for a challenge?
Browse through my blog showing all the issues relating to a particular local council.
Also read this by Lee Lam Thye on the same topic: https://come-to-senses.blogspot.com/2023/02/letter-to-editor-by-lee-lam-thye.html
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