Implement elections for senators, think tank tells govt

 

The government should let voters choose senators to represent their interests, especially for states that are considered under-represented, such as Sabah and Sarawak, says Refsa. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: A think tank has called for the implementation of Senate elections to elevate the status of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara as the highest decision-making bodies in the country.

Research For Social Advancement (Refsa) said this would increase the electorate’s influence towards picking senators who represent their interests, especially for states that are considered under-represented, such as Sabah and Sarawak.

“The reforms, should they be implemented in stages, would raise the confidence of the people towards the Senate and help remove the perception of it being merely a ‘rubber stamp’.

“These efforts are in line with the spirit of the Federal Constitution and the parliamentary democracy system which champions the voice of the people to improve their lives and livelihoods while taking Malaysia further on a global scale,” it said in a statement.

Refsa also called for the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 to be brought back in order to meet the narrative of “modern Malaysia”.

It said the Act, which was repealed in 1992, provides Parliament with the autonomy to determine its own formulation of policies, and be financially independent of the executive.

“The reforms which the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 can offer are tremendous and will definitely enhance the role of Parliament in checking the exercise of power by the executive,” it said.

Last week, Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim described the Senate as a “stepping stone to the top” for politicians and senators.

In a speech on the first day of the new Dewan Negara session, Rais acknowledged that 17 senators had resigned to contest in the recently concluded general election (GE15).

“Some were successful and some were not. Six new senators, of whom four are ministers and two are deputy ministers, have already started serving as members of the administration.

“Some who lost in GE15, have also been appointed and are among (the ministers and deputy ministers who are senators). That is how honourable the Dewan Negara is, always being a stepping stone to the top,” he said. - FMT