PASIR Gudang MP Hassan Karim rejected Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s proposal for a bill to be tabled for a Fixed-term Parliament of five years fearing this could lead to a dictatorial regime.The PKR member said the UMNO leader’s suggestion was not appropriate in the context of Malaysia which practices a democratic system where the party or coalition with the most seats can become the government.“Parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy guided by the Federal Constitution have been tested since independence. The fixed-term government system has its disadvantages because it can lead to dictatorship, corrupt rulers cannot be replaced.”Moreover, Zahid had proposed the creation of a bill to maintain the government until the end of the term, saying this would end the stories of a backdoor government or attempts by the opposition to destabilise the government.He also said this will allow a party that has the majority or a coalition of parties with a majority in Parliament to rule for five years without being disturbed by the opponents, further stabilising the country.
Meanwhile, Amanah Negara Nasional’s Women’s Wing (AWAN) is also calling for the tabling of a ‘Fixed-term Parliament Act’ to ensure political stability.AWAN chief Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu pointed out that such an Act would ensure that the government of the day formed after the general election can work effectively until the end of its term. It would also ward off any attempt to topple a Federal government every time it is formed.“We should prioritise work related to the well-being of the people and the nation. But we cannot achieve that if we are too busy politicking.“So we propose that a fixed-term law be created for parliament… Maybe there can be changes in Cabinet members but the government remains the same,” added the Housing and Local Government Deputy Minister. – Jan 14, 2023
