The City Council, formerly known as the Municipal Commission, was the local government authority that was tasked with managing public utilities and infrastructure in the city area. Following legislations passed in July 1957, the Council became a wholly elected body of 32 members, one of whom would serve as Mayor. Elections were held in December of the same year. The Labour Front (LF) worked with the People’s Action Party (PAP) to counter the powerful Liberal Socialist Party (LSP) by avoiding contests against each other. The LSP, who had dominated the previous Council, polled only seven seats while the PAP emerged victorious and secured 13 of the 14 seats it contested. However, a PAP-UMNO coalition was subsequently formed and the LF was left without a share of power. Ong Eng Guan of the PAP was eventually appointed Mayor of the Council.
