Push for two-term limit for MB, parties told ahead of Johor polls

 

Bersih also asked the parties to enact a recall procedure to enable voters to remove elected representatives who switch parties.

PETALING JAYA: Bersih wants all parties contesting in the upcoming Johor polls to initiate reforms and limit the menteri besar’s tenure to two terms.

The electoral watchdog urged the parties to take up the “Johor Challenge” by promising institutional reforms as part of their manifestos ahead of the state elections, one of which would be to push for a two-term limit for the position of menteri besar.

“This is so that there will always be a new generation of leaders that is more competent and energetic,” Bersih said in a statement today.

Bersih also asked the parties to enact a recall procedure to enable voters to remove elected representatives who left their party to turn independent or join another party.

“Voters will be able to keep or sack those who party hopped or were dismissed by the party leadership through an election petition that fulfils a certain threshold,” it said.

Bersih also called for the introduction of a constructive vote of no confidence, whereby the menteri besar cannot be ousted unless the vote also contains the name of his successor.

Besides that, Bersih suggested changes to allow the menteri besar to dissolve the state assembly before the end of its term but only if the move has two-thirds majority support in the assembly.

For more female representation in the state assembly, it suggested the implementation of women-only seats, with appointed representatives in order to reach a 30% quota.

Bersih also called for equal funding to be given to all constituencies, regardless of whether it’s represented by a government or opposition assemblyman.

“This could be done with the enactment of a constituency development fund,” it said, noting, however, that all these reforms would require amendments to the state constitution.

Johor will go to the polls on March 12 with early voting taking place on March 8, and nomination day set for Feb 26. - FMT