THE Parliamentary Caucus for Multi-Party Democracy was officially formed today to promote inter-party dialogues, engagement and participation in issues on institutional reforms, especially in the Dewan Rakyat.
Former law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said and ex-Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah are the co-conveners of the parliamentary caucus while the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) will act as the secretariat.
In a joint statement, the Pengerang and Petaling Jaya MPs that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun had been informed of its establishment.
“The objective of this caucus is to encourage dialogue, engagement and cross-party participation in Parliament on institutional reforms, especially that of the Dewan Rakyat, and to facilitate public participation in the parliamentary process,” they said.
“This caucus is essential to foster and drive healthy and productive multi-party competition to enhance the democratic atmosphere in Malaysia.”
Azalina said the formation of the caucus was vital to foster and drive healthy and productive multi-party competition in creating better democratic practices in Malaysia.
“Most importantly, all of us MPs from both sides of the House, whether government backbenchers or opposition bench, we want to see a more level playing field in Parliament,” she told reporters at the Parliament building today (July 20).
“… being the former Deputy Speaker (of Dewan Rakyat), I know the separation of power of the government but I think the rakyat want to see the MPs do and function fairly, regardless of which side of the bench we sit.”
Meanwhile, Maria said for a start, the caucus members had agreed to review and mobilise efforts to revise the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat to improve the operations of Parliament.
“This includes simplifying the Private Member’s Bill and digitising Parliamentary processes, empowering Parliamentary Select Committees and holding discussions and hearing sessions with stakeholders, such as experts, civil societies, media and the general public on the agenda to empower Parliament and strengthen the Malaysian democracy,” she said.
Maria also said the caucus hoped that the platform provided would be put to optimal use by all quarters in a bid to empower the real role of MPs as lawmakers and national policymakers, thus making the Parliament a professional and world-class institution. – July 20, 2022
