Ismail should offer Muhyiddin’s reform proposals if he becomes PM, says Bersih

 

Bersih 2.0 says Ismail Sabri Yaakob should signal that he is practising the ‘new politics’, as advised by the King, if he is appointed the prime minister. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob should offer the same institutional reforms proposed by Muhyiddin Yassin before his resignation if he gets appointed to the top post, said electoral reform group Bersih 2.0.

It said Ismail could and should offer what Muhyiddin had proposed as a sign of goodwill and to signal that he is practising the “new politics” that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong urged the parties to do.

After a two-hour audience with the King on Tuesday, PKR president Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the King had called on leaders to work together to address the Covid-19 and economic crises.

The King and his deputy, the Sultan of Perak, gave an audience to leaders from PKR, DAP, Amanah, Umno, PAS and Pejuang following Muhyiddin’s resignation as the prime minister on Monday.

Before that, on Aug 13, Muhyiddin had made an overture to all parties, proposing a framework for bipartisan political cooperation. He suggested several reforms, including equal annual allocations for all MPs regardless of which party they belonged to.

He also proposed to table an amendment to the Federal Constitution to limit the tenure of the prime minister to just two terms and to table an anti-hopping bill.

Muhyiddin also said the government would implement the Undi18 initiative without waiting for automatic voter registration.

He also proposed that the opposition leader be given the status of a senior minister in recognition of the role played by the opposition.

Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said if Ismail could implement some of these reforms if he became the prime minister, he would not only strengthen the political and governance system, but leave a lasting legacy.

“To ensure political stability until the 15th general election, he should also reach out to the opposition with a confidence and supply agreement (CSA),” he said.

However, DAP’s Charles Santiago questioned Ismail’s candidacy, saying: “He really hasn’t proven his worth in terms of policies, new ideas or achievements.”

Santiago said Barisan Nasional’s move to field Ismail as its candidate meant it was not complying with the King’s decree for all political parties to work as a team. - FMT