Roundtable Discussion on Local Government Elections

Thanks to Wee Loon for sharing on this.

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Dear Sir/Madam, 

 

SEDAR Institute in partnership with the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) cordially invite you to attend a Roundtable Discussion on Local Government Elections, scheduled on Wednesday, 12 May 2010 from 2.00pm to 6.00pm at Seminar Rooms 1 and 2, Wawasan Open University, Level 3, Tower 1, Menara PGRM, No 8 Jalan Pudu Ulu, Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur. 

 

This event will facilitate a great opportunity to discuss key issues pertaining to local government elections. In lieu of the spirit of democracy, some political parties and non-governmental organizations have advocated restoring local government elections. On the surface, this may appear easy and doable but there are many issues to consider in terms of practicality, feasibility and legality. This roundtable discourse would also examine the various "facts and fictions" regarding local government elections as microscopically as possible. 

 

We sincerely hope that you will accept our complimentary invitation and we look forward to your reply. Your participation in this closed-door session would enrich this forum and enable it to be a valuable space for intellectual exchange of ideas on the big question: "To have or not to have local government elections, if yes, then how?" 

Attached below is the tentative program for your kind perusal.

 

Kindly RSVP your attendance by Friday, 7^th of May, 2010 to Ms Janet How, Executive Secretary of SEDAR Institute at 03-92832380 (9.30am to 6.00pm) or by email at sedarcomm@gmail.com. For further enquiries, please contact the same number or email address stated above. 

 

Looking forward to welcoming you to this event. 

 

Thank you very much. 

 

 

Yours sincerely, 
 

Khaw Veon Szu

Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roundtable Discussion on Local Government Elections

12^th May 2010

Seminar Rooms 1 and 2, Wawasan Open University, KL

 

 

Tentative program

 

2.00pm – 2.30pm:    Registration and networking

 

 

2.30pm – 2.35pm:    Welcoming speech by Datuk Mah Siew Keong, Chairman of SEDAR Institute*

 

2.35pm – 2.45pm:    Opening Speech by YAM Tunku Zain al-Abidin ibni Tuanku Muhriz, President of IDEAS*

 

2.45pm – 3.30pm:   Panel 1: Local Government Elections: The past and the present

 

                                    Focus: Historical Perspective and the Theoretical and Legal Framework of Local Government Elections in Malaysia

 

                                    Proposed panelists:

 

1.      Tan Sri Dr Chin Fook Weng, Former Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang (MPPP) Councillor for 23 years*

 

2.      Derek Fernandez*, Councillor, Petaling Jaya City Council and Legal Adviser to the Selangor State Government

 

3.      Professor Shad Saleem Faruqi, Professor of Law, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)

 

Panel 1 moderator: Khaw Veon Szu, Director General, SEDAR Institute*

 

3.30pm – 4.00pm:   Plenary Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.00pm – 4.45pm: Panel 2: Whither Local Government Elections in Malaysia

 

Focus: To have or not to have local government elections. The short, medium and long term strategies to restore local government elections or any form of participatory democracy at the lowest level.

 

Proposed panelists:

 

1.      Maria Chin Abdullah, Member of the Coalition for Good Governance (CGG)

 

2.     Dr Goh Ban Lee*, Senior Research Fellow, Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI), Penang

 

3.     Associate Prof. Abu Hassan, Department of Media Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences University of Malaya,

 

Panel 2 moderator: Wan Saiful Wan Jan, Chief Executive, IDEAS*

 

 

4.45pm – 5.15pm:   Plenary Discussion

 

5.15pm – 5.25pm:    Winding up and presenting of mementos to panelists

 

5.30pm – 6.00pm:    Tea break and networking session

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Speakers/Moderators who have confirmed their participation.

 

**This event's proposed speakers are subject to change and will depend on the speakers' availability and confirmation.