LETTER | Urgent analysis, investigation needed in MBPJ fiasco

LETTER | The Seksyen 20 Petaling Jaya Residents’ Association is writing to express concern regarding the recent fiasco that unfolded at the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), specifically the hurried passing of the plot ratio 1:10 on KUB/A&W land in Petaling Jaya.

This incident, marked by a “possible bypass of existing process”, has raised serious questions about transparency, accountability, and the integrity of the decision-making process within our local government.

Local government processes a gray area

It is disheartening to learn that 19 out of 24 councilors were compelled to stage a walkout due to the actions taken by the MBPJ mayor.

Such a significant show of dissent among councillors, who are entrusted with representing the best interests of the community, is a clear indication that something has gone awry in this process, causing great deal of public concern and has eroded trust in the decision-making apparatus of our local government.

Anti-graft group C4 Center also questioned if there were any ulterior motives, conflicts of interest, or other factors that may have influenced the mayor's actions.

Given the gravity of the situation, the residents’ association believes it is imperative that a thorough and impartial investigation be conducted to uncover the underlying motivations behind the mayor’s decision to push through the arrangement for KUB to purchase the said land. Why the hurried deal?

Lack of transparency

We speak a lot of “transparency and accountability”. They are cornerstones of a well-functioning government and it is crucial that the MBPJ demonstrates its commitment to upholding these principles. 

As per C4’s recent open letter, the residents’ association requests the authorities to quickly initiate an independent inquiry, composed of reputable individuals with expertise in urban planning and governance so a comprehensive analysis of the entire decision-making process can be conducted.

This investigation should aim to identify any procedural irregularities, ethical violations, or abuse of power that may have occurred, and recommend appropriate measures to rectify the situation. 

Quick remedy to restore faith

It is fundamentally essential that MBPJ takes immediate steps to restore public confidence in its ability to govern effectively. This can be achieved by ensuring that future decision-making processes are transparent, inclusive, and subject to rigorous scrutiny.

Engaging with community stakeholders, conducting public consultations, and promoting accountability mechanisms will go a long way in rebuilding trust and restoring the credibility of the MBPJ.

Taxpayer and citizen rights

As concerned citizens, we are not against development. However, we deserve a local government that acts in the best interests of the community and upholds the principles of fairness and justice.

The residents’ association trusts that the authorities will take swift and decisive action to address this matter and initiate the necessary investigation.

Petaling Jaya residents are counting on the MBPJ to rectify this situation and ensure that such possible “corruptible situations where possible abuses of power” behind hidden doors, do not occur in the future.

We look forward to hearing about the steps that the MBPJ intends to take to address the concerns raised by the recent fiasco. Thank you, mayor, for your attention to this urgent matter. 

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.