Feedback from the public

The Star

PENANG: The people will have their say in the evaluation of local authorities for the star rating system.

Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said the 144 local authorities would be given marks based on various factors.

Good governance would account for 20% of the marks, financial

management and revenue (10%), capacity building and human resource development (20%), implementation of law, government

policy and guidelines (25%), services to the community and clients (10% each), and implementation of ICT programmes and webpages (5%).

A five-star rating will be given to those getting 90 to 100 marks followed by four stars (75 to 89 marks), three stars (60 to 74 marks), two stars (46 to 59 marks) and one star (45 marks and below).

Ong said the independent panel grading the local authorities would seek views from resident associations and other parties to find out the level of satisfaction among the people.

He said the relationship and rapport the local authorities had with the public would also be taken into account.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had announced on Monday that a star rating system would be used to evaluate the overall performance of local authorities.

He said an independent panel comprising people of high integrity would be grading the local authorities, with the assessment to be done every two years.

Ong said the star rating was aimed at improving the performances of local authorities and their delivery system.

“We will monitor local authorities with low star ratings and suggest ways for them to improve,” he told newsmen in Paya Terubong yesterday.

He said the ministry had formed a central inspectorate to implement the system with assistance from the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit and the National Integrity Institute.

Ong said the rating system would start with the evaluation of 11 city councils and city halls in the first quarter of next year.