Rebel MPs’ move shows folly of lingering over reforms

From Martin Vengadesan

It came as no surprise to see Subang MP Wong Chen and his cohort of rogue PKR MPs announce that they oppose the current version of the government’s proposed bill on separating the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor.

He read out a joint statement endorsed by six other PKR MPs, rejecting the proposed Clause 18, and saying he will not support the bill unless further changes are made.

This came after a revised draft with recommendations from a bipartisan parliamentary special select committee was submitted.

It was, however, a relief to learn all seven PKR MPs will support a separate constitutional amendment bill to limit the prime minister’s tenure to two-terms or 10 years, which failed to pass earlier this year after a number of Madani MPs didn’t show up for the crucial vote.

The lesson that really needs to be drawn from this is that by lingering over the speed and volume of tabling reform legislation, we have allowed ourselves to be pushed into a corner.

How much more time do we have to address these two and other announced reforms, such as the Ombudsman Bill, aimed at strengthening public accountability and a Freedom of Information Act to improve transparency in public procurement, contracts and government decision-making?

This Parliament sitting is only until July 16, and the House does not meet again until October, when the budget will dominate the agenda. To put it bluntly, the government is running out of time in which to pass its reforms before it has to call for an election. It should have pushed such bills to a vote much earlier in its term to allow for delays and amendments.

There are many progressive reforms that have been mooted yet continue to linger, including the abolition of the death penalty, the introduction of local council elections, a ban on child marriage, the decriminalisation of medical marijuana, urban renewal measures, stronger protection of Orang Asli land rights, amendments to the Peaceful Assembly Act, and the repeal of draconian laws.

Look them all up and you will notice a lack of urgency or political will since they were first proposed – sometimes even by the prime minister or Cabinet ministers themselves. The reforms gradually seem to have fallen by the wayside.

Also of grave importance to me and our country’s future is to carry out the electoral delineation exercise before a general election is held.

It ought to be carried out in accordance with a spirit of restorative justice. There currently exists a gross disparity in the number of voters packed into parliamentary constituencies.

Some rural constituencies that back PAS have only about 30% as many voters as urban seats that largely support Pakatan Harapan.

Once again, the process has begun but there is no deadline, urgency or any sense of what sort of new boundaries we might see take shape.

It would be folly to call for an election before restoring some degree of parity. But as with the legal reforms, one wonders who is cracking the whip.

Martin Vengadesan is a former editor who currently serves as a strategic communications consultant to the communications ministry.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.