Ahmad Maslan proposes plan that paves way for Nga, could get rid of Rashid

 

Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan has come up with a 20-point manifesto on parliamentary reforms in his bid to become the new Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.

It proposes a possible win-win solution that could entice the opposition not to block his election bid.

Among others, it includes a proposal to create a third deputy speaker post to be filled by the opposition while suggesting an East Malaysian rep take over one of the existing two deputy speaker posts.

A third seat for the opposition could pave the way for both Ahmad and Nga to be deputy speakers.

It also signals a plan to replace Bersatu’s Rashid Hasnon as deputy speaker with an East Malaysian candidate.

The offer is an interesting one as the opposition is frustrated with Rashid, who had defected from PKR last year, for blocking attempts to remove Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.

The Umno secretary-general’s proposals came after Nga outlined a 10-point plan on reforming Parliament in his bid to become deputy speaker.

Ahmad’s 20 points are:

1. Providing all MPs with a research officer to help research policies, speeches, and questions in relation to their Dewan Rakyat duties.

2. Updating standing orders so they’re up to date and more relevant to current needs.

3. Creating a third deputy speaker post specifically for the opposition, while one of the other deputy speakers should be from Sabah or Sarawak.

4. Parliament becomes actively involved in educating the public about democracy through seminars, forums, exhibits, dialogues, visits, and engagement.

5. Creating a Parliament student programme for Form 4 to Form 6 students as an addition to the Youth Parliament and Varsity Student Parliament programmes - with women participation encouraged.

6. Extending Dewan Rakyat sessions by one hour to end at 6.30pm, giving MPs more room to debate. Minister Question Time sessions to be extended to 40 minutes from the current 30 minutes.

7. Extending oral question session by one hour, and ensuring 12-15 oral questions get to be answered in the two hours by limiting each question to 8-10 minutes.

8. Ensuring MPs get to debate important policies for at least 20-30 minutes - such as royal addresses and constitutional amendments - and extending the Dewan Rakyat session to night time to fulfil this.

9. Bills must be given to MPs at least five days in advance before it is debated.

10. An allocation of RM40,000 per year to opposition and independent MPs to run their service centres.

11. Holding ministry open days in Parliament to allow MPs to meet with ministers, deputy ministers, secretaries-general and directors-general.

12. Additional time for special chambers sessions each day in the evening.

13. Social media and communications training for MPs and their staff.

14. Creating more Parliament Select Committees on matters such as education, religion, social, labour, housing, income, health, and the environment.

15. Supporting the government’s Parliament transformation plan as announced by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

16. All MPs get special allocations to hold townhall sessions with the public and stakeholders.

17. A small attendance allowance for select committee members.

18. Dialogue sessions with mainstream media that involve both government backbenchers and the opposition.

19. Better manners during debates so Parliament is not seen as a political circus.

20. Reviving the Parliamentary Services Act. - Mkini