Proficiency in the national language will be a requirement for MCA members in Negeri Sembilan to be appointed as municipal and district council members in the state in future.

Negeri Sembilan MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said the requirement was necessary as they served as the medium between the government and the people and to enable them to give the best service to the people.

"The state MCA has decided to introduce a more systematic and professional method of screening for us to have people who are qualified and proficient in the national language so that the 'voice of the people' can be brought to the local authorities and the state government," he told a press conference here today.

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan recently extended the service of municipal and district councillors to March 31.