KUALA LUMPUR: DAP vice-president Teresa Kok has called for the government to amend the Federal Capital Act 1960.
She said such amendments would enable the city administration to function like a state local authority with local councillors.
"When we compare the provisions of the Federal Capital Act with those of the Local Government Act, there is no position equivalent to local councillors in the Federal Capital Act.
"Therefore, it is important for the Madani government to amend the Federal Capital Act so that Kuala Lumpur will be the same as local councils across the country, where council members are present," he said at a press conference at the Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur DAP Ordinary Convention here today.
Present were party secretary-general Anthony Loke, Bukit Bintang member of parliament (MP) Fong Kui Lun and Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh.
Loke described the call for reinstatement of local elections in the federal capital a progressive move.
However, he said the matter would be discussed with the Pakatan Harapan leadership for further consideration.
"We understand that political sentiments and reality to have local government elections would face pushback by many causes.
"What was proposed by the DAP Federal Territory is a reform to increase the number of appointed councillors in Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), as they currently only have a board of advisers, not councillors," he said.
Loke said having appointed councillors would enhance the accountability as any decision must be agreed to by the full council.
Earlier, Kuala Lumpur DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai, in his speech, called for the government to propose legislative reforms by implementing a system of appointing councillors for DBKL.
He believed this move could strengthen democracy and lead to the reinstatement of local government elections.
Under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Federal Territories Ministry was abolished on December 22, 2022.
Section 15 of the Local Government Act stipulates that there is no election for local authorities in Malaysia, a distinguishing trait from federal and state authorities.