The Barisan must ensure credible local councils

V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network, Selangor, Malaysia

The Barisan Nasional Government will need to pay more attention to the conduct and behavior of local council employees as well as that of the councillors if it wishes to do well in future general elections.

There is no doubt that the effectiveness or otherwise of these grassroots bodies has a direct bearing in influencing the attitude of the voters in any election.

The importance of the local councils also cannot be over- emphasized since the people at all levels depend on these organizations for a host of services affecting their daily lives.

If the residents are not happy with these services, than they will blame the Government for not ensuring that the local authorities do a better job in providing basic facilities to the people.

Mundane problems, such as dirty drains, uncollected rubbish, roads with potholes, water shortage and breakdown in electricity supplies have all to be attended to by the local councils.

If such essential services should be neglected, then the residents will really be annoyed and will not hesitate to take it out on the ruling party when the time comes.

Barisan leaders are well aware of this but have yet to get the local councils to improve their performance as expected by the rate-paying residents.

They could only scold or threaten these bodies but with little impact.

The Barisan is facing the same difficulties in making local councils under its state governments more efficient to provide prompt service to the people.

It is not even in a position to transfer errant workers out of the local council they are working in as they can only be dismissed if they have committed a criminal offense.

The workers seem to know this and they also know how to operate within the system.

All the warnings of stern action appear to have fallen on deaf ears as they continue to do what they like.

The biggest problem seems to be corruption and this is something that is perceived as quite wide in such councils, which are also responsible for issuing business and other licenses to the residents.

With such authority, there is bound to be abuse and such malpractice will dampen any attempt to deliver service quickly and in a fairer manner.

Naturally those who are prepared to pay a bribe will be served faster while those who refuse to do so may find their applications for licenses delayed for no apparent reason.

However, some local councils are trying to be more service- oriented or consumer-friendly especially when there is a change at the top.

But this is not a natural development as a lot will depend on the dynamism and ability of the new president or chairman, who is a civil servant.

If the new person is keen to do something to motivate his workers to upgrade their services, then he will try to improve things during his term of office. But he certainly cannot do this on his own and needs the support and co-operation of his council members and the employees to achieve this objective.