‘Bad’ lawmakers make bad laws

Informed law making: Parliamentarians should be educated and consistently reminded of their primary role as lawgivers, says the writer. — The Star

ONE of the key functions of parliamentarians is to debate and pass laws, which form the backbone of a nation’s governance framework. In Malaysia, however, many parliamentarians are often unprepared for debates on critical laws, especially those that directly impact the liberties and rights of citizens. This lack of preparedness has led to the passing of laws without a thorough understanding of their provisions and potential effects, resulting in legislation that may undermine fundamental rights and the rule of law.

Laws are not merely procedural; they shape the social contract between the government and its people. They define the boundaries of government power, and when poorly crafted or inadequately scrutinised, they can be exploited to infringe upon personal liberties, weaken democratic safeguards, and erode trust in governance. It is therefore alarming when lawmakers, whose primary duty is to ensure the creation of just and balanced laws, lack the requisite knowledge or preparation during parliamentary debates.