Press statement by DAP Perak on 10 September 2021:

𝗡𝗴𝗮 𝗞𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝟭𝟬 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Teluk Intan, Nga Kor Ming, Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker has released a 10 points parliamentary reforms proposals if he is elected as Deputy Speaker next week. 

Parliament will hold the election of Deputy Speaker next Tuesday, 14 September 2021.

Nga Kor Ming who is also the former Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker published a 10 points parliamentary reforms proposal in order for the Parliament of Malaysia to be a world class institution.

Nga said he will advocate and work towards the 10 points parliamentary reforms to demonstrate the democracy spirit of Parliament if he is given the mandate by the MPs next week. 

The parliamentary reforms proposed by him will allow Parliament as the Legislative arm to gain financial independence, having its own parliamentary service, periodic review of government bills, scrutinising government budget, addressing local constituency problems and play a major role in check and balances against the government, in line with the doctrine of separations of power.

The 10 points parliamentary reforms are as per below : 

1. Reintroducing the Parliamentary Services Act

The Parliamentary Services Act was repealed in 1992 but was subsequently advocated by Pakatan Harapan in 2018. The draft of the bill has been prepared and it should be tabled in Parliament by the end of this year to ensure Parliament is financially and administratively independent of the Executive. 

The separation of powers will prevent parliament to be a “rubber stamp” of the Executive.

When the Pakatan Harapan government was in power, the drafting of the bill was completed under the leadership of then Speaker Tan Sri Mohd Arif Yusof and now it is time to complete this important legislative process.  

2. Establish a Special Select Committee for Budget Review

In order to ensure that the government’s annual budget of more than RM 320 billion to be more transparent and accountable, Parliament should establish a Special Select Committee on Budget Review that comprises of 51% ruling and 49% opposition members; a reflection of the current composition of MPs. 

Furthermore, the Special Select Committee should do periodic reviews of the government’s budget in order for the government’s expenditure to avoid wastage and leakages. 

3. Establish a Special Select Committee to review Government Bills 

The Legislative is the major function of Parliament, therefore it should establish a Special Select Committee on bills review. Any bill must first be vetted by a Special Select Committee comprising of both the ruling and opposition parties. 

4. Set up a Second Chamber

Parliament should set up a “Second Chamber” to discuss specific issues faced by various constituencies so that relevant Ministers can face directly as well as answer MPs’ questions and provide solutions.

5. Set minimum sitting days for Parliament 

Parliament must set a minimum number of days for sitting to ensure that all MPs play their roles. At the same time, attendance of member of Parliament’s should also be announced publicly to be accountable to the voters.

6. Live Broadcast of Public Account Committee (PAC) meetings 

Pakatan Harapan has already started the process of improving and empowering the PAC, including appointing the opposition party as its chairman. In order to enhance transparency, PAC meeting will be broadcasted live online. 

7. Ministerial status for the Leader of the Opposition

In line with the important role played by the opposition, parliamentary opposition leader should be accorded ministerial status. 

However, Opposition Leader’s office must announce its expenses every year to demonstrate transparency and to accept public scrutiny.

8. The Motion of confidence must be institutionalised

In order to ensure legitimacy of the Prime Minister is not to be questioned, Parliament must amend the current Standing Orders and require any new Prime Minister to submit a motion of confidence to Parliament within 30 days of swearing in. 

9. Anti-hopping law which includes recall election

In order to defend the people’s mandate, Parliament should enact a new anti-hopping law which includes recall election for the particular constituency in order to return the power to the rakyat whose mandate must be given due respect.

10. Set up Special Select Committee on ESG

Environment protection and sustainable goals is an important agenda in our nation building. A Special Select Committee on this specific agenda is required to address this important issue.