KUALA LUMPUR: A coalition of 48 civil society organisations (CSOs) has urged the Government and Perikatan Nasional to enter into a cross-party agreement involving all 218 Members of Parliament (MPs) to ensure the implementation of eight key democratic reforms before the end of the 15th Parliament.
In a joint statement issued today, the coalition said such an agreement was crucial to prevent the reform agenda from being derailed by political instability or interference from parties without an electoral mandate that opposed efforts to empower voters.
It said the proposed agreement aimed to strengthen parliamentary democracy both before and after the 16th General Election (GE16), while restoring public and international confidence in Malaysia's political stability and accountability.
The eight proposed reforms include limiting the Prime Minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years; separating the roles of the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor; enacting a Freedom of Information Act and an Ombudsman Act; and introducing a fair Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Act and a Political Financing Act that provides for public funding of political parties.
The proposals also include placing the Election Commission (EC) under Parliament's oversight instead of the Prime Minister's Department, as well as requiring three months' notice before any early dissolution of Parliament, should there be no consensus for the 15th Parliament to serve its full term until Dec 18, 2027.
The coalition said the first four reforms were among the initial commitments made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when he assumed office.
It noted that limiting the Prime Minister's tenure and separating the roles of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor would require a two-thirds majority, or the support of 148 MPs, to amend the Federal Constitution.
According to the coalition, a 10-year limit on the Prime Minister's tenure would facilitate leadership renewal, prevent the abuse of power and discourage the emergence of political dynasties.
Meanwhile, separating the roles of the Attorney-General and Public Prosecutor was necessary to prevent selective prosecution, selective immunity and the emergence of a two-tiered society.
It said the proposed Freedom of Information Act and Ombudsman Act would empower the public, enhance transparency and accountability, and encourage improvements in the delivery of public services.
To ensure fair political competition, the coalition proposed that CDF allocations be distributed equitably among all MPs and state assemblymen based on an objective formula that guarantees transparency and accountability, without being used as a condition for securing support for the government.
It also stressed the need for a Political Financing Act to prevent the misuse of public funds and undue influence from foreign donors.
Public funding for political parties, based on their share of the popular vote and objective criteria such as the nomination of female candidates, could also reduce their reliance on private financiers, it said.
On electoral reforms, the coalition proposed that the EC be established as an independent and impartial body reporting directly to Parliament, with expanded powers, including authority over the registration of political parties, to strengthen public confidence in the electoral system.
On the proposed notice period for the dissolution of Parliament, it said the public had the right to know the election schedule well in advance.
Should there be no consensus for the 15th Parliament to complete its full term on Dec 18, 2027, the coalition proposed that the Prime Minister seek the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for an early dissolution three months before that date.
Meanwhile, the coalition congratulated the government and 13 MPs - comprising seven representatives from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), one from MUDA and six former Bersatu members - on signing a Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) on Oct 29.
However, it described the scope of the CSA as limited and largely transactional, arguing that equitable CDF allocations remained a matter for negotiation rather than a legally guaranteed entitlement.
In this regard, the coalition expressed support for the call by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, for Perikatan to enter into a separate CSA with the Government.
However, it stressed that any new agreement should have a broader scope and address the legitimate interests of the opposition.
The coalition also urged Perikatan's top leadership to consider the proposal, citing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Transformation and Political Stability signed on Sept 13, 2021, between the government led by then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Pakatan Harapan as an example of cross-party cooperation.
It said the agreement had facilitated political stability and reforms over a 13-month period. - Bernama
