Johor assembly passes bill allowing appointment of non-elected reps

 

The Johor state legislative assembly today passed a bill to amend the state enactment, allowing for the appointment of up to five non-elected state assemblypersons to strengthen the composition and functions of the legislative institution.

The bill to amend Part Two, Clause 15 of the Johor Constitution 1985 was passed after securing more than two-thirds support, with 40 assemblypersons in favour and 16 opposing it.

Johor Menteri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi, when tabling the bill at Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Iskandar Puteri, said the proposed appointments were aimed at broadening participation in the state legislative assembly, especially through the involvement of individuals with expertise and experience to enhance debate and the policymaking process.

“In the context of Johor’s rapid development and the influx of new investments, the need to expand the range of views in the state legislative assembly is becoming increasingly important.

“The government is confident that this proposal will enhance the state legislative assembly’s capacity to assess and make decisions in a more comprehensive and effective manner,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said the amendment was implemented in accordance with due legal procedures, including the requirement that it receive the support of not less than two-thirds of the assemblypersons.

“This approach has also been adopted and practised in several other states, such as Pahang, Terengganu and Sabah,” said the Machap assemblyperson.

Number of reps

Onn Hafiz said the bill, among others, included a second clause which seeks to allow the appointment of no more than five non-elected assemblypersons.

He said the amendment could see the number of assemblypersons increase from 56 to 61.

“These members (assemblypersons) did not go through the election process but were instead appointed to complement the existing composition of the state legislative assembly,” he said.

Onn Hafiz said the third clause introduced Clauses 15A, 15B and 15C, which provide for appointments to be made through a motion in the state legislative assembly, subject to the consent of the sultan.

Anuar Abdul Manap (BN-Pemanis), during the debate on the bill, said the appointment of non-elected assemblypersons would not only increase the number of seats but also improve the quality of services delivered to the people.

- Bernama