KL MPs now get to discuss DBKL’s budget

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 6): More momentous things are happening with a new government in Putrajaya. Lawmakers of Kuala Lumpur are now allowed to give their views about Kuala Lumpur City Hall’s (DBKL) 2019 budget.

According to a report by The Star, seven out of KL’s 11 Members of Parliament took part in a town hall event to talk about the budget.

The same report also mentioned that the MPs that could not make it for the event sent their representatives.

The MPs who spoke to The Star were glad that they now have an opportunity to provide their inputs for the city budget.   

Lim Lip Eng told the daily that he was called for a briefing only after decisions were made during his time as Segambut MP.

“The briefings were pointless as the budget allocation was a done deal.

“I am glad that DBKL is engaging with elected representatives now,” he said. Lim is now MP for Kepong.

Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai also said that KL’s MPs never had a chance to take part in such discussions before.

“We were never involved in the past despite many requests,” he told the English daily.

Lim revealed that the “MPs and their representative were asked to lead a group comprising officers from relevant departments in DBKL to discuss areas of concern in their constituency and allocations”.

“For my constituency, I have asked for funds to rebuild Jinjang Utara and Kepong Baru markets, as well as the Kepong Baru hawker centre.

“I also want to upgrade the sports infrastructure such as basketball and badminton courts as well as football fields and playgrounds,” Lim said.

Tan’s special assistant Janice Choo Chen Leece told the English daily that they requested for funds to upgrade Jalan San Peng, Jalan Kenanga and Jalan Merlimau, as well as build new roads.

Tan was away in Beijing during the town hall session.

Last month, Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said local MPs that they will be involved in the decision-making processes of DBKL.

He said that this was part of the empowering process of elected representatives that was a necessary step towards introducing elections for the post of Kuala Lumpur mayor.

Khalid said KL’s MPs could not formally participate in DBKL’s decisions under the previous Barisan Nasional government.

“All this while, elected represen­tatives did not have a position within DBKL. It has always been the case that MPs, because historically they have been from the Opposition, were not involved in any discussion,” he said.