Now is the time to put reform agenda on the table, says Bersih

 

Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann says too many changes of government are ‘destroying our country’.

PETALING JAYA: Electoral reform group Bersih 2.0 has launched a report outlining 10 reforms for parliamentary select committees, saying this will help them serve as a more effective check and balance to the executive.

Apart from incorporating best practices from the UK, Australia and New Zealand, Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said the report took into account proposals by MPs from all parties.

He said Bersih is hoping to hold discussions with the Dewan Rakyat speaker and deputy speakers to forward the proposals for their consideration.

Noting that the country is in “what some would say is a terrible situation” as no party or group has a simple majority, Fann said this presents a unique opportunity to push for reforms when parties negotiate with each other.

He said reforms must not be sidelined at this time because “what we have gone through in the past one-and-a-half years has really shown how weak, and sick, our political system is”.

“This kind of political chaos will continue even if we have a general election because of issues such as a hung Parliament and cross-party hopping.

“We cannot have in one term of five years, three or four changes in government. This is destroying our country. So this is the time, over the next few days, to put the reform agenda on the table.”

Among the reforms are amending the standing orders to expand the powers of the
PSCs, allowing them to gather evidence and conduct their own inquiries and investigations, and providing them with sufficient manpower, including researchers, experts, clerks and support staff.

Apart from institutionalising the opposition by recognising its leader as equivalent to a cabinet minister, the report suggested that all PSCs meetings be broadcast live for public viewing to build trust and confidence in the parliament institution.

The other proposals include providing flexibility to PSCs to determine their own form of meetings, increasing the number of PSCs in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara based on specific needs, and providing adequate budget allocations to ensure efficient functioning and smooth operations.

The report also called for a revisit of the appointment procedure of PSC members so that committees are balanced and proportional to the overall representation in the Houses.

Members should also be allowed to choose their own PSCs according to their interests and expertise. - FMT