NINTH premier Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob might be Malaysia’s shortest-serving prime minister (PM) with his 14-month reign but the consolation is that he excelled as a “true reformist” during his tenure.
This according to human rights activist and lawyer Charles Hector, is an area where his successor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (PMX) has failed to convince his critics after nearing two years in power despite his portrayal as centre reformasi figure in Malaysia.
“Under Ismail Sabri, there was equal allocation for all MPs irrespective of whether government or opposition MPs,” argued Hector in his latest blog.
“PMX has not given constituency allocations to opposition MPs 19 months plus into his premiership. And still insisting that a MOU (memorandum of understanding) has been signed which allegedly includes a condition that he will not be removed as PM until GE-16 (16th General Election).”
Moreover, Hector also hailed the Bera MP and former UMNO vice-president for being instrumental in enacting the Anti-Hopping Law albeit the law not being entirety flawless.
“Anti-hopping law clearly is to protect the peoples’ rights as opposed to that of political parties,” contended the co-founder of NGO Malaysians Against Death Penalty & Torture (MADPET). “Thus, being expelled by party will not disqualify a MP. Only his/her leaving the political party or joining another political party will lead to disqualification,”
Hector further recalled that Ismail Sabri was the first to table a Bill to repeal mandatory death penalty but the Bill could not be passed before Parliament was dissolved for GE15 (on Nov 19, 2022).
“Anwar re-tabled the law to repeal the mandatory death penalty and added on the repeal of life imprisonment. But Anwar has yet to repeal the sentence of whipping (which MADPET is championing) in our criminal laws,” he lamented.
Above all else, Hector also praised Ismail Sabri for keeping the infamous “court cluster” out of his cabinet while Anwar not only included Zahid who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman but made him one of Malaysia’s two Deputy PMs.
“In many countries, polls are conducted regularly to monitor the peoples’ approval of their PM and his Cabinet. This is something that we should have to spur the PM and his Cabinet into reforming their ways and do the right thing,” suggested Hector.
“Currently, there is also uncertainty as to how the PM decides – does he decide alone? Or is the Cabinet involved in the decision making? A PM acting on his own without a two-third majority is dangerous – maybe we need a Cabinet Procedure and Decision-Making Act.”
Added Hector: “Likewise, it is of concern if ministers in Anwar’s Cabinet also act alone without prior Cabinet approval at least – projects, political appointment, usage of funds, etc.” – Sept 5, 2024
