KUALA LUMPUR – After Putrajaya’s failure to pass a motion related to the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), political scientist Prof Wong Chin Huat reminded the government that the MoU is not a licence for its MPs to skip Parliament.
Wong was commenting on arguments that the government’s failure to pass the motion was due to a lack of opposition support in Parliament.
On Bernama’s “Ruang Bicara: Menilai MoU Kerajaan dan Pembangkang” tonight, Wong suggested that the blame should not fall on the opposition but the government MPs who failed to show up for the vote.
“Many are of the view that the MoU gives a licence to government MPs to play truant, but I think otherwise,” Wong said.
He explained that should Putrajaya require a motion or bill to pass in Parliament under the MoU, it must be related to an issue concerning confidence towards the prime minister.
This, however, was a motion relating to Sosma.
As for suggestions that the failure to pass the motion has weakened Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri’s government, Wong suggested otherwise.
“If you look at the logic behind parliamentary democracy, it’s based on checks and balances.
“The idea that the government is only strong if all bills and motions pass, it’s akin to saying the government can’t make mistakes,” Wong added.
Meanwhile, Wong said Barisan Nasional’s (BN) wins in Johor and Melaka are not guaranteed to be replicated if an early general election is held.
He said the fact that voter turnout appears low in past state elections would be a factor to consider.
“We might actually see a hung Parliament at the next general election.
“For me, it would be best to stick to the MoU and implement important agendas,” Wong explained.
Meanwhile, National Professors Council chairman Prof Datuk Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, who was also on the programme, applauded the MoU, adding that it embodies Malaysia’s strengths – negotiation and mediation.
Shamsul explained that within the government and opposition, parties are now finding it tough to come to agreements and the MoU allows a meeting of the minds.
However, with regards to Putrajaya’s failure to pass the motion on Sosma, Shamsul suggested that the government could have avoided the matter by bringing the opposition to the negotiating table.
“The failure is not with the MoU, but the administration should have obtained the opposition’s view and from the government parties as well,” Shamsul said. – The Vibes, March 25, 2022
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