Bersih lauds govt for institutional reforms in first 100 days

 

Bersih has praised the government for the institutional reforms it managed to make in its first 100 days.

However, the electoral watchdog urged for more to be done in line with promises the respective coalitions and parties made.

“We congratulate Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Law and Institutional Reforms) Azalina Othman Said for the initiatives related to Parliament and the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC),” the group said in a statement today.

The listed achievements include the Prime Minister Question (PMQ) Time at the Dewan Rakyat, the increased number of motions in the Special Chamber, the initial discussion on the separation of the Public Prosecution Office from the AGC and the setting up of an independent law commission.

However, the group also emphasised that the government missed opportunities to deliver other “low-lying fruits”.

Among them, the group highlighted the non-continuation of the allocation of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to opposition MPs, despite promises made in the manifestos of both Pakatan Harapan and BN.

Bersih pointed out there was also no transparency and parliamentary oversight in the appointment of key public officers such as the attorney-general, members of the Election Commission, and the Public Services Commission.

“No tabling of the constitutional amendment bill to enforce a 10-year tenure limit for the prime minister, as per the memorandum of understanding between the Ismail Sabri Yaakob-led government and Harapan (was done either),” it added.

The group called for the tabling of the Political Financing Bill, which four consecutive governments have worked on, as well as the Parliamentary Services Bill.

Bersih said the parliamentary committee has also not repealed or reviewed several acts, including the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (CMA), the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA), and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

Lastly, the group criticised the delay in setting up parliamentary committees after more than two months since the 15th Parliament was sworn in.

Bersih went on to call for the government to implement these changes within a year, specifically before Nov 24.

Next 100 days

The group also expressed its wish to see further improvements within the government’s next 100 days.

“We urge the government and Parliament to take efforts to deliver three specific reforms in the next 100 days, which may require Dewan Rakyat to have more sitting days than what is scheduled,” it said.

These reforms include the setting up of Parliamentary Special Select Committees (PSSCs) and Parliamentary Permanent Select Committees (PPSCs), an equitable CDF for all MPs, and the recognition and empowerment of Perikatan Nasional's shadow cabinet.

"Bersih will continue to engage with the government, Parliament and the relevant stakeholders to advocate for the reforms, as well as to monitor and check and balance the progress," it added. - Mkini