There have been complaints on the ground that the Pakatan Rakyat-led Selangor government was not impartial in selecting local councillors and the only way to invalidate this accusation is to hasten the implementation of local council elections.
Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) pro-tem secretary-general S Arutchelvan said such accusations will persist until local council elections take place.
"This appointee system cannot be a permanent feature. I know that the new Selangor government does not wish to make it permanent but I must stress the need for local council elections to be implemented as soon as possible," said Arutchelvan when contacted by Malaysiakini.
Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim announced on June 19 that 75 percent of local councillors comprised of members of Pakatan political parties, with PKR members dominating the numbers.
The remaining 25 percent of councillors were made up of representatives from NGOs, academics and professionals.
When queried on whether his government will implement local council elections as promised, Khalid said the matter was still being studied.
h3. No PSM members in Perak's LC list
Arutchelvan also revealed that three PSM members had been selected as local councillors in Selangor, adding that he was glad they were given a chance to serve the people.
"But again, I stress the importance of implementing local council elections as only through elections can the government receive the people's mandate to govern," he said.
Arutchelvan also expressed disappointment with the PAS-led Perak government for not appointing any PSM members as councillors.
"The list of Perak's local councillors was announced two days ago and we are disappointed none of our party members made it to the list."
He added that since PSM activists had been working tirelessly with the grassroots in Perak, it was only fair that they be appointed as local councillors.
"Dr Michael D Jeyakumar will talk to Perak Menteri Besar about this matter and we hope that it can be resolved soon."
PSM has been one of the most vocal parties to call for the restoration of local council elections, a system practiced prior to the 1969 May racial riots.
Umno, being the dominant party at that time, had alleged that local council elections were a mechanism used by communists to spread their influence and ordered its abolition.