KUALA LUMPUR – The parliamentary caucus for multi-party democracy has been launched today in collaboration with Bersih.
Co-conveners of the caucus are former law minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) and former Bersih chairman Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya-PH), who said in a joint statement that Bersih will serve as the caucus’ secretariat.
They said that Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun has been notified of the caucus’ establishment through an official letter dated July 18.
The caucus, touted to “encourage dialogue, engagement and cross-party participation in Parliament on institutional reforms as well as to facilitate public participation in the parliamentary process” comprises MPs from the government and opposition benches.
“The caucus is essential to foster and drive healthy and productive multi-party competition to enhance the democratic atmosphere in Malaysia,” they stressed.
The first step for the caucus will be to explore reviewing the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders by introducing “non-governmental business time” and facilitating the adoption of private members’ bills.
It is also targeting to digitalise parliamentary processes, empower parliamentary select committees, and engage stakeholders in strengthening Malaysia’s democracy and Parliament.
“Additionally, we are concerned about the gender imbalance in the leadership of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara as we see the importance of having deputy speakers at both Houses who reflect diversity in terms of gender, region, and partisanship.”
Besides Azalina and Chin, the caucus includes 10 other members. They include DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook (Seremban-PH), PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (Kulim-Bandar Baharu-PH), Parti Bangsa Malaysia president Larry Sng (Julau-Independent), Upko president Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran-PH) and Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking (Penampang-Warisan).
The other members are Baru Bian (Selangau-PSB), Hasanuddin Yunus (Hulu Langat-PH), Hanipa Maidin (Sepang-PH), Redzuan Yusof (Alor Gajah-PN), Wong Shu Qi (Kluang-PH) and Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat-Independent). – The Vibes, July 20, 2022
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