Kuala Lampur, Feb. 7 -- FEBRUARY 7 - The intense reaction to the proposal of introducing mayoral elections in Kuala Lumpur raises troubling questions about why detractors fear democratic processes, especially since many of them are democratically elected. Democratic choice is the foundation of Malaysia's political system. It should not suddenly be treated as dangerous or inappropriate simply because it is applied at the local level.

In fact, most of the critics are either Members of Parliament, State Assembly representatives, or senior political party officials who are democratically elected. They occupy these positions today because voters entrusted them to carry out their responsibilities. To challenge the legitimacy of democracy in lo...