The federal territories minister said this in response to renewed calls for such polls, adding that while she took note of the proposal, it was not at the top of her list, Malaysiakini reported.

She cited the administration of joint management bodies or management corporations for strata properties in the federal territories, saying it was an issue that needed more urgent attention.

“Basic matters such as this must be prioritised before we even start any discussion on local council elections,” she was quoted as saying.

Zaliha also said any decision to implement local council elections required further consultations with various parties.

Yesterday, Kuala Lumpur DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai called for Putrajaya to start local government elections in the capital city first to bolster democracy, a proposal which Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh labelled as “insensitive and provocative”.

Tan, who is Cheras MP, said reintroducing local elections in the city would provide sustainability and give the residents the right to select their city council representatives.

Local elections in Malaysia were suspended in the 1960s and later replaced by a system of appointed heads, with mayors of city councils as well as presidents of municipal and district councils being appointed by the state governments.

Earlier today, government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil called for patience on the matter, adding that Zaliha should be given more time to consider the proposal since she had just been appointed federal territories minister.

He also said the local council election was a “major policy decision that is not to be taken lightly”.