Rethinking the role of Members of Parliament

OVER the last three years, Malaysia has had three changes of governments, but with the same elected representatives. Consequently, some Members of Parliament have had to align and realign themselves in terms of their loyalties to political parties without the prior consent of their constituents.

The result is frustration and confusion in the electorate. How can the “people’s representatives” keep their election promises when their loyalties are subject to random change? The question on voters’ lips is this: “Are our MPs looking after our interests or theirs?”