GCPP ready to submit Parliament reform proposal

PETALING JAYA: After eight months of discussion, the Parliamentary Reform Proposal Group (GCPP) – a group of NGOs concerned about the state of democracy in Malaysia – are ready to submit the proposal for parliamentary reforms.
During the Press conference today, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said it is important for the parliament to reflect Malaysia's robust democracy and become more fair and responsible in the engagement of the legislative process.
She also said the GCPP have held many discussions since the first meeting in July 16, 2014.
This was following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's promise for a 'functional and inclusive democracy' – on Malaysia Day 2011 – which was cast into doubt after showing very little progress in attaining the mission.
Maria said the four points being proposed were, the reintroduction of the parliamentary service act, increase in parliamentary committees, agenda-setting in Dewan Rakyat and allocations for research and constituency development.
"The reintroduction of Parliamentary Service Act 1963 which was repealed in 1992 is important as the reintroduction of the act will be the first step towards making Parliament administratively and financially independent of the executive," Maria said
For Parliamentary committees' issues, Maria said they proposed the parliament to increase the standing committees to minimise the burden of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
"Out of five standing committees, only PAC who deal with issues outside of the parliament," she added
"The other standing committees only deal with the inner working of parliament and have burdened PAC in the past in matters relating to oversight of the executive which resulted in legislation being 'rubber-stamped' by the parliament," Maria said.
Maria also said the GCPP also proposed for the parliament to improve the setting of the parliamentary agenda, claiming that the setting now does not give time for Non-government Businesses to debate about Private Member's Bills.
"The proposal also requests for more time for questions and debate to the Prime Minister and a Shadow Cabinet," Maria added.
Maria said the last recommendations in the proposal is regarding allocations for research and constituency development.
GCPP suggested each MP should be provided by the government with quality research assistants who will help them make well informed decisions.
"MPs and Senators need timely, up-to-date, accurate and well-researched information for effective decision making," Maria added.
Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) Chief executive officer Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the reform is important now because people have become more educated, more informed and they want to have their inputs taken into consideration when decisions are made by the government.
Saifuddin also suggested MPs to play their role as lawmakers and grassroots leaders to inform or consult the public before any bill is tabled.
The 15 page proposal will be submitted to Minister in the Prime Minister's department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kasim as the minister is in charge of parliamentary affairs.
GCPP consists of Youth Academy, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH 2.0), Engage, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Political Studies for Change (KPRU), Society for the Promotion of Human Rights (PROHAM), Projek Beres, Tindak Malaysia and Undi Malaysia.
Their proposal also includes recommendations of MPs from both sides of the political divide as well as input from the GMM and the Bar Council.