In Malaysia, study on elected Kuala Lumpur mayor triggers another race debate
Critics slam the study as a ‘naive and misguided’ move by Minister Hannah Yeoh that would worsen the country’s ‘cultural war’
The feasibility study announced by Hannah Yeoh – a minister from the Chinese-dominated Democratic Action Party (DAP) – has also drawn criticism that it is a political project pushed by her party.
Yeoh, a minister in the prime minister’s department, told local Chinese daily China Press on Sunday that the findings of the study by the International Islamic University Malaysia would be released to the public in March.
The plan has unsettled some in Malaysia, where ethnic politics often shape electoral behaviour. For Malay-based parties, analysts say the proposal revives long-standing fears that urban electorates could dilute Malay political primacy.
Opposition lawmaker Takiyuddin Hassan of the Malay-nationalist Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition led the backlash, calling the proposal “overly simplistic, naive and misguided” and warning it would not necessarily improve governance at Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
“The administrative effectiveness of a city does not depend solely on how its leadership is selected, whether by election or appointment, but rather on the strength of its institutions, governance systems and management culture,” he said in a statement.