MCA leaders mark CNY in Wilayah MCA and Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association celebration in Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur. From left: MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, association president Datuk Seri Ang Say Tee, and MCA Bukit Bintang chairman Datuk Ng Chin.
KUALA LUMPUR: As the city develops, reinstating local council elections is crucial for better governance and service delivery, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president noted that Kuala Lumpur lacks state assemblymen and elected city councillors, stressing that MPs and councillors serve other distinct roles.
“In the past, Kuala Lumpur had a state assembly to oversee governance. Bringing back local elections will enhance accountability,” he said.
He criticised opposition parties for previously advocating local elections but failing to implement them despite being in power.
“Local elections began in Kuala Lumpur; it’s only right for the city to lead their reinstatement,” he said at a Chinese New Year open house hosted by Wilayah MCA and Kuala Lumpur Hawkers and Petty Traders Association in the famed Jalan Petaling on Sunday (Feb 23).
Malaysia’s first local elections took place in George Town in 1951, followed by Kuala Lumpur in 1952.
Dr Wee also touched on the need to preserve Jalan Petaling’s cultural and historical heritage, acknowledging its role as a former commercial hub and a key tourist attraction for the city.
“Chinatown Petaling Street is free publicity for Malaysia; its heritage must be preserved,” he said.
“Our ancestors built communities here and contributed to education and culture,” he added.
During the event, association president Datuk Ang Say Tee revealed that the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) had proposed removing Chinese characters from Petaling Street’s signage, leaving only the Malay name “Jalan Petaling”.
Dr Wee said MCA strongly opposes this move.
“The party insists that as long as the signage complies with the Advertisement (Federal Territories) By-Laws 1982 and the 1976 Local Government Act, ensuring that the Malay language remains the most prominent, the inclusion of the Chinese characters for ‘Petaling Street’ should not be an issue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wilayah MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng added that the party would push for the reinstatement of local council elections in Kuala Lumpur, allowing citizens to have a say in their governance.
“I will do my best to safeguard the rich cultural history of Petaling Street,” he said, reaffirming MCA’s commitment to voicing public concerns in Parliament.
“MCA will continue to advocate for the people. We must view issues from the people’s perspective, and we will fight to ensure that Chinese signage remains in Chinatown Petaling Street,” said Dr Wee Jeck Seng, who is also the MP for Tanjung Piai.
Among those in attendance were MCA Deputy President Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, Wilayah MCA state liaison committee deputy chairman Tan Kok Eng, Secretary Lee Kah Hing, and Organising Chairman Datuk Ng Chin.
