Gobind wants PM to deliver on four reforms by year end, act with same speed as Tabung Haji RCI

 

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo wants Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to deliver on at least four reforms by year-end.

Namely, he wants Putrajaya to separate the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor, set term limits for the prime minister, and amend the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) and the Peaceful Assembly Act.

The statement seeks to continue the momentum from DAP's congress on Sunday, where delegates resolved to remain in government while pushing for reforms.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke yesterday said they would discuss a timeline with Anwar.

The attorney-general public prosecutor separation bill is in the midst of getting royal assent after the government amended the draft legislation to allow Parliament a more effective role in vetting public prosecutor candidates.

In March, the prime minister term limit bill failed to pass by just two votes due to absenteeism. The government has yet to re-table the bill.

As for the Sosma amendments, Gobind said the government had expressed its intent to amend the law since February last year, while Peaceful Assembly Act amendments have been under discussion for months.

"We must finalise and table them without any further delays," said the DAP chairperson.

Tabung Haji RCI

Gobind's timeline, however, is a little tight. While the Dewan Rakyat is due to convene from Oct 5 to Dec 8, seven out of 10 weeks will focus on debating and approving Budget 2027.

Perhaps cognisant of this, Gobind in his statement said the government's response to the Tabung Haji royal commission of inquiry report may hold the answer.

"The government had acted with speed by holding a special parliamentary session for the RCI report on Tabung Haji recently. A similar route ought to be taken for these crucial reform bills," he said, proposing either a special session or additional sitting days.

The Anwar administration had sat on the Tabung Haji RCI report for almost four years, ostensibly to allow the haj fund to recover.

Likewise, the Madani government has also been accused of sitting on reforms by using its coalition government as an excuse.

However, Anwar himself indicated this is not as big a hurdle as some claimed it to be, as he announced the abolition of the Universities and University Colleges Act on Saturday - one of the key pledges that Pakatan Harapan made in its 15th general election manifesto. - Mkini