Wan Junaidi: No problem with elected senate, but maintain minority reps

Senate president Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he has no issue of introducing elections to select members of the Dewan Negara, but added that the founding principle of giving minorities a representation must be maintained.

Utusan Malaysia reported him as saying that the role of the Dewan Negara is not only to review and approve any bill brought by the Dewan Rakyat but also to give voice to certain groups that are not represented through electoral politics so that they can bring issues to the government's attention.

Among the groups represented in the Dewan Negara are persons with disabilities (currently Isaiah Jacob) and Orang Asli (ex-Jakoa chief) while members of Malaysia's small Thai population have also been appointed to the senate in the past.

"The purpose of this Dewan Negara is to highlight individuals who were not elected as representatives. For example, the Orang Asli have an appointed senator so that their voice and views can be raised in Parliament.

"If an election is held but does not meet the basic spirit of the Dewan Negara itself, what about the minorities and professional representatives?

"For me, there is no problem (of having National Assembly elections) but not for all seats. There should be room for representatives of certain groups to be appointed senators," he said.

Recently a group of 16 NGOs urged the government to hold elections to elect local authority councillors and members of the senate, saying that the current practice is not a democratic one.

Based on Article 45 (2) of the Federal Constitution, the membership of the 70 members of the National Assembly is divided into two.

There are 26 individuals elected by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) as representatives of 13 states with two representatives each, while the remaining 44 members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong upon the advice of the prime minister.

This includes two from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and one member each from Labuan and Putrajaya.

"It cannot be said that senators are appointed directly because some are appointed as a result of elections held at the state level," said Wan Junaidi.

Lower age limit

He also suggested that the eligibility age for membership of the Dewan Negara be lowered from the minimum limit of 30 years to open up more opportunities for youth to become representatives.

"If the country wants to have a youth representative in Parliament, the age limit for senator eligibility needs to be lowered from 30 years by amending Article 47 (a) of the Federal Constitution," he added.

Wan Junaidi went on to reject the perception of some parties who dismiss the Dewan Negara as a 'rubber stamp' body.

"If we say that the Dewan Negara is just a 'rubber stamp', then the Dewan Rakyat is the same because it approves any law brought by the government without rejecting it.

"So those who talk about this rubber stamp don't understand the process of drafting laws in this country," he said, saying that approval of any Act or amendments is only done after debate and an in-depth study. - Mkini