THE third estate of any government is the local authority (LA).
The LA serves as the face of the government in dealing with the rakyat’s day-to-day and bread-and-butter issues. They need the best and right people to carry out their tasks and duties in a professional manner.
The issuing of licences for advertisements, sale of liquor and running of businesses; the management of hawker stalls and proper waste disposal; the maintenance of playgrounds and bus stops, street lamps and traffic lights, drain issues and grass cutting – these are just a few of the numerous issues related to the rakyat that fall directly under the care and control of the LA or town councils.
The overseeing of these sectors rests on the LA’s level of dedication and responsibility, and this can only be determined based on their team’s performance and the feedback of satisfaction from the rakyat. The performance of any organisation is based strongly on the efficacy of its staff, and of course its leader or chief executive. Such a rule also applies to the LA and town councils.
The mayor of the LA must be a people person focused on bridging the gaps between the rakyat and the government. With a caring, responsive, reliable and conscientious mayor, the LA should have no problems resolving issues amicably and rapidly.
There are two types of officers in the civil service. One is the Diplomatic Administrative Officer (PTD) and the other is the Public Administration Officer (PTA). 90% of all civil service heads of department, chief secretaries of ministries and directors-general are PTD.
The Selangor government has promoted four PTD officers to its various departments. This was not met with much enthusiasm among the PTA fraternity.
The grievances of the PTA can be compiled into a voluminous book, showing how they are constantly overlooked for promotions while the PTD are biasedly given higher positions.
An officer commented: “…This is a cartel, which is causing so much pain…” for the PTA.
This is a practice that has been ongoing since Malaya was born, thus giving a premium interest and benefit to the PTD and totally ignoring the PTA.
Simultaneously, the recent internal promotion of a PTA to the position of deputy mayor of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) did not go well with certain segments of PTD for fears that this would jeopardise the positions of the current PTD officers and future promotions of similar scope.
To top off this issue, there has also been an overdue neglect of promotion opportunities for the local authority staff for many years.
Some have remained in the same grade or level for as long as fifteen years without a hint of promotion or upgrade in any way.
The key requirement of a local council head or a mayor is that he or she must be a qualified government officer who can take on and manage the responsibilities and duties required by the position.
His role is to look into the city’s management such as the development, maintenance and also better planning in line with the state’s visions.
In my opinion, professionals with years of experience in technical and management are better to occupy the post as development in any area needs a person with sound technical background knowledge too.
There are an estimated 155 local councils in Malaysia, and it is believed that only less than 10% of the appointed individuals are PTA. It is unjust to say that none of them are up to par for promotion, as there are many who go out of their way to perform their duties to the utmost best.
For instance, in over 50 years of MBPJ’s existence, not a single internal officer has ever been appointed as the city’s mayor. Should anyone mention the lack of ability among the staff to hold this position, then I strongly beg to differ as I have worked with such dedicated directors of MBPJ and I regard them very highly.
The directors and their staff are always ready to reach out with a keen ear and a lending hand to resident association activists such as myself. They do their jobs well, with some even willing to work extra hours and on weekends, too, just to uphold the interest of the rakyat.
It is a great wonder as to why their efforts are being blindsided and rewards being biasedly handed out to an undeserving party.
It is up to the respective states who they want to appoint as a mayor. For example, the first and second mayors of the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) were from respective political backgrounds.
Another MBSA mayor was appointed from the Selangor State Planning Directorate. Clearly, it is not compulsory for the appointment to be only from PTD.
The current mayors of Penang, Seberang Prai, Klang and Sepang, respectively for instance, are PTA members and are in fact doing a great job while also representing their respective councils in international forums and delivering their best services to their stakeholders.
These are the type of leaders that the rakyat want – a competent and completely devoted individual and not a stranger from simply any sector. LAs are super niche and service-oriented, and not in need of mere paper pushers.
The government must scrutinise and ensure that there is fairness in the appointment of mayors and directors rather than offering the positions or seats to undeserving PTD.
The promotion exercise must be based on their character, experience and qualifications.
If the government pays more and immediate attention to the third estate and brings out greater justice, fairness and inculcates higher jurisprudence, the LAs will certainly do a greater job in engineering greater projects which are more sustainable to the environment.
I strongly recommend a commission to be formed with its main onus to look into the woes of the LAs in order to provide greater transparency and confidence to these drained and victimised civil servants.
Internal promotions must be given to allow greater continuity and sustainability of the LA’s activities and programs. No one must ignore the importance of LAs as they may make or break a nation. – The Vibes, January 19, 2023
The writer is a leading voice in local government reform and is the recipient of several resident association awards
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