KLRA+ said there is duplication in function between the local government development ministry and the federal territories ministry.

It also said that despite the federal territories ministry governing the three federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan, Putrajaya and Labuan already have their own local authorities or equivalent bodies that exercise most of the powers under the Local Government Act 1976.

“KLRA+ feels strongly that the ministry is redundant,” the coalition said in a joint statement today.

“Malaysia’s Cabinet size is already excessive, and the present government must only maintain vital ministries, improve their efficiency and productivity, and reduce costs.”

In the short term, it said, MPs should be given voting rights over Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) policies and development approvals.

KLRA+ also suggested that the city’s MPs meet residents’ coalitions on a regular basis to institutionalise public participation.

It said that in the long term, Kuala Lumpur and other federal territories should come under the Local Government Act 1976 and have elected mayors and councilors.

It also called for local council elections for DBKL to democratise the selection of mayors to ensure high quality and integrity of services.

The group was responding to a FMT report in which Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is a deputy prime minister, said he would refer to the Cabinet a suggestion from Umno delegates to restore the federal territories ministry.

Matters regarding the federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan were formerly handled by the federal territories ministry. It was converted to a department in the Prime Minister’s Department when Anwar Ibrahim formed his unity government in December last year.