Khalid Samad considering local council polls in Shah Alam

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): The process of electing local council members, including mayors, must not be bulldozed through, said Federal Territories minister and lawmaker for Shah Alam Khalid Samad said today.

In a report by The Malay Mail, Khalid also said local elections could begin in his ward which has a majority of Malay voters.  

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday that local council elections may result in race-related conflicts in Malaysia.

“Local council elections may produce the wrong results.

"The urban may be different, the rural may be different… there will be conflicts emphasised by racial differences and the like. So we don't want that to happen,” said Dr Mahathir.

Khalid said that he is “hoping we can do local council elections in Shah Alam, in places where people are a bit more comfortable, where you cannot use the race card.”

“Whoever gets voted in still has to toe the line, whether Pakatan Harapan (PH) or under Barisan Nasional (BN),” he told the news portal.

Khalid also explained that the bulk of candidates for local council elections would “likely come from political parties instead of independents”.

Khalid said he would clarify with Dr Mahathir himself about “his reported remarks” at a Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

“Maybe what he meant was immediately under his premiership, but I think we know he’s not going to be there forever. It’s still something that can be implemented if all other parties are decided on it.”

As for Kuala Lumpur, Khalid told the English news portal that local council elections there may have to be done “a bit later” owing to its large population of almost two million.

“We let the easier places implement it first.”