Enact recall law to punish non-performing reps, says SUPP man

 Stakan SUPP chairman Sim Kiang Chiok says victory at the polls should not be a ‘blank cheque’ for five years of unaccountability.

Stakan SUPP chairman Sim Kiang Chiok said a recall law will ensure that elected leaders remain answerable to the rakyat throughout their term. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 A Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) grassroots leader has suggested enacting a law in the state to empower voters to sack their elected representatives before their term ends if they do not perform.

Sim Kiang Chiok said a recall law was vital to ensure that MPs and assemblymen remained accountable to the people who put them in office, Dayak Daily reported.

The Stakan SUPP chairman said a recall process could be initiated if a representative failed to honour pledges made during the campaign or if they were to mislead the Sarawak legislative assembly or Parliament.

A recall process could also be initiated if the elected representative is involved in substantiated moral misconduct.

“A victory at the polls should not be a ‘blank cheque’ for five years of unaccountability.

“When a representative fails the people, voters should not have to wait until the next general election to take action,” he was quoted as saying.

Sim proposed that the electorate be allowed to initiate the removal through a petition supported by at least 10% of registered voters in the constituency.

He said such a law was in place in other countries, including the UK, and that it was recently passed by the Welsh Parliament.

“These international examples demonstrate that recall laws strengthen, not weaken, parliamentary democracy. They ensure elected leaders remain answerable to the rakyat throughout their term,” he said. - FMT