KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (independent-Jerlun) today proposed a motion to amend Article 55 (3) of the federal constitution that touches on the dissolution of Parliament and general elections.
During his debate speech, he also called on Putrajaya to prepare a draft for this amendment in the interest of the general public.
“Jerlun would like to motion an amendment on Article 55 (3) of the federal constitution regarding the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat, under Standing Order 18 to be read together with Standing Order 14 of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders.
“The reason for this motion is to allow the government to postpone elections in the interest of public health and security until this (Covid-19) threat is over. This amendment is desperately needed because of our current election laws while we are facing the Covid-19 threat.
“Government lawmakers claimed that this can only be avoided through an emergency declaration. Even though this amendment requires a two-thirds majority, Jerlun believes that the government wants to manage Covid-19 as best as it can without playing politics,” said Mukhriz.
He added that he will officially file for the motion to the speaker’s office and hope that it will be sped up seeing that the motion has a direct impact on public safety and security.
Earlier in his speech, Mukhriz called out de facto law minister Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan over efforts to get the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to assent to Putrajaya’s request for an emergency declaration.
On October 8, The Vibes quoted constitutional lawyer Prof Datuk Gurdial Singh Nijar as saying amending the constitution to allow for the postponement of elections, even in a time of crisis, would only open up room for abuse.
He warned that ruling parties might use this to delay polls if public support for them was unfavourable.
“Elections are part of our democratic process, and must be done according to the constitution. If we allow (elections) to be postponed, there are bound to be abuses.
“If the ruling party finds that it cannot win an election for a certain reason, that the sentiment is not on their side, they can postpone the election until the situation suits them.”
Gurdial said under the current provisions, a vote could only be postponed if there was a state of emergency. – The Vibes, November 18, 2020
