PRIME Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s offer of a range of important institutional reforms in exchange for support from the Opposition in the upcoming Vote of Confidence (VoC) a step in the right direction for political stability and parliamentary democracy in the nation, said the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0).
However, such Confidence and Supply Agreements (CSA) for a minority government to remain as a functioning government should not only come from Muhyiddin but also from other aspirants to the office of the Prime Minister and the next government, said the group in a statement today.
“Muhyiddin’s admitted loss of majority in the House necessitates him to prove his resurrected majority in the Parliament on a motion of confidence if he does not resign or seek dissolution immediately in accordance with Article 43(4) of the Federal Constitution.”
Bersih 2.0 further opined that Muhyiddin cannot hold onto power until after the Royal Address in September.
“The Royal Address does not represent the personal opinion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong but the Government’s governance plan.
“While Muhyiddin has the right to prove his majority in Parliament, this does not allow him to delay it as long as it suits him.”
The coalition also urged both the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Government and the Opposition camp to offer, among others, inclusive policy-making on pandemic-related issues and a cabinet manual that defines constitutional conventions and other administrative rules on important matters.
“We call for the reform of the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Inland Revenue Board (IRB) to eliminate selective prosecution and impunity.
“There must also be reform of the electoral system and institutions governing elections and political parties, covering Election Commission (EC), Registrar of Society (ROS), the introduction of Party-List Proportional Representation seats with gender quota, and recall elections,” said the statement. – Aug 14, 2021
