We note with alarm the Selangor government’s decision to ban media from a public hearing on the Selangor Draft Structure Plan 2035, citing fears of “manipulation”. The Rawang Tolak Insinerator Network (RTI) and Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) have both raised concerns on this move. This public hearing on the Selangor Draft Structure Plan 2035 is especially crucial because it includes the controversial Rawang incinerator project, and is therefore of great public interest for Selangorians.

Selangor is the richest state in the country. Unfortunately this means that there are many lucrative opportunities for public money to be wasted or siphoned away through corruption. The media plays an essential role in informing Selangor citizens how their government spends our money, and this scrutiny makes it harder for corrupt practices to occur undetected. The media must be allowed to do their jobs!

The role of the media is especially crucial, given how the Perikatan Nasional opposition in the Selangor state assembly has been largely passive and ineffective as a check and balance against the Selangor government.

This move to ban the media from such a crucial public hearing shows that the Selangor government doesn’t consider themselves accountable to the people any more. After 17 years of rule, the Pakatan-led government has become complacent, and have taken for granted that they answer to the ordinary Selangorians.

We therefore urge the media to exercise additional scrutiny on the Selangor government’s plans – not just with regard to the Rawang incinerator, but for the whole Draft Structure Plan 2035. the fact that they ban the media from public hearings suggests there might be something they are trying to hide. We also urge Selangor voters to elect an effective and credible opposition to this Selangor state government in the next state elections, so this Selangor government stops taking our interests for granted.

Prof. Darren Ong
Treasurer
PSM Selangor