JOHOR BARU: The Johor government should reconsider its move to amend the state constitution to allow the appointment of five nominated assemblymen, says Nga Kor Ming.
The DAP deputy chairman said Pakatan Harapan objected to the move, calling it undemocratic and contrary to the Federal Constitution.
“Such an amendment actually contradicts the Federal Constitution.
"The Federal Constitution clearly stipulates that elected representatives must be chosen by the people.
“The Constitution is very clear. All elected representatives must be chosen by the people. They cannot be appointed,” he said.
He said this at a press conference after officiating the national-level World Firefighters Day celebration at Angsana Mall here.
Nga also noted that Pakatan would soon launch a signature campaign among Johor residents to object to the matter.
“Pakatan will organise a signature campaign targeting tens of thousands of Johor residents to defend the country’s parliamentary democracy system.
"As for when the campaign will begin, I leave it to the state leadership," he said.
He said the appointment method was akin to entering the state assembly through the back door.
"These appointments are a back-door method, and if this becomes a trend, it will affect the country’s Constitution and democracy,” he said.
On Thursday (May 7), the Johor Legislative Assembly passed a proposal to amend the state constitution to allow the appointment of five nominated state assemblymen.
Johor Mentri Besar Onn Hafiz Ghazi tabled the Bill at the state assembly sitting in Kota Iskandar on Thursday (May 7).
He proposed amending Article 15 of the Second Part of the Law of the Constitution of 1895 to insert the words “not exceeding five appointed members” after “fifty-six”.
“This would then bring the 56-seat state assembly to 61,” he said on Thursday (May 7).
