'Get two-thirds majority through bipartisanship, not defections'

Activist Ambiga Sreenevasan said today that constitutional reforms requiring a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat should be done through bipartisan cooperation instead of defections to the ruling party.

"I am against any party or coalition having a two-thirds majority, (as) it allows for the Federal Constitution to be amended at will, and the opposition can never be an effective check and balance.

"Constitutional reform requires a two-thirds majority no doubt, but that must be achieved by having a consensus with MPs across the aisle," she told Malaysiakini when contacted.

Ambiga pointed out that the country suffered when BN had a two-thirds majority, which was difficult to reverse. The coalition lost its two-thirds majority in 2008.

"It must be remembered that the change that we brought was very hard won and brought slowly over many years.

"Giving this government a two-thirds majority is tantamount to wiping out all the gains we have painstakingly made since 2008. It is regressive," she stressed.

Ambiga said she had always hoped for BN to reform and present a credible opposition to the current government as needed in a mature democracy.

"BN did not even try it for one year. Harapan must pause and consider the ramifications of what is going on.

"Becoming independents is one thing, but joining Harapan is another thing altogether."

'False notion'

This comes after another 10 MPs quit Umno since Thursday, accusing Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of failing to chart a direction for the party.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had previously said some of Harapan's promises, such as limiting the prime minister's tenure, had to be put on the backburner due to not having a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat to amend the constitution.

Of the 16 Umno MPs who have quit Umno since the 14th general election, 12 are currently independent but have expressed support for Mahathir.

Larut MP Hamzah Zainuddin, among those who quit, claimed some 36 BN MPs have signed a letter pledging support for Mahathir last month. The figure includes those who have not left the party.

If the claim is true, it would mean Mahathir has more than enough numbers for a two-thirds majority in the House.

Meanwhile, PKR lawyer Latheefa Koya dismissed the idea of a strong opposition as a "false notion".

"Really, why would you want an extremist right-wing like Umno and PAS (to) be strong?

"I am happy it is disintegrating. Pointless to have a 'strong' right-wing group.

"They will not provide the check and balance," she said. - Mkini