Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said it was unnecessary to hold local government elections as it would cause too much politicking.

Najib said instead of electing local government representatives, he said the focus should be instead on improving services of local authorities. 

najib announce gdp 240210 01 "The focus should be on providing the best service to the people instead of giving importance to the political process," he said, according to Bernama .

The premier added that those vying for a spot on local councils will be too busy campaigning for their posts, rather than performing their roles effectively.

He said this in Putrajaya today, in response to demands by the Pakatan Rakyat held state governments of Penang and Selangor to hold local polls.

No local polls for four decades

On Saturday, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said his government wanted to restore elections in two municipal councils and he had written a letter to the Election Commission.

A day later, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said that his government would follow suit .

It has been over 40 years since the government outlawed local council elections through the Local Government Act 1976.

Local polls were suspended following the declaration of emergency on Sept 3, 1964, which remains in force.

The call to have local council elections reinstated have grown louder in recent years due to an increasing reports and complaints on alleged poor administration and weak financial management .

'No local elections': Gerakan, Pakatan tick off PM