NGOs call for 15th Parliament to serve full term, advance reforms
KUALA LUMPUR: Forty-four civil society organisations and 25 people have called for the 15th Parliament to serve its full term until Dec 18, 2027, allowing more institutional reforms to strengthen democracy and governance.
A coalition of 44 civil society organisations and 25 individuals is urging the 15th Malaysian Parliament to serve its full term until December 18, 2027. This request aims to allow sufficient time for key reforms that will bolster democracy and governance. The joint statement emphasizes that Parliament will remain in session until its term expires, barring the government's loss of confidence among the majority of MPs.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is urged to convene a cross-party leaders summit to establish a shared agenda for the remaining parliamentary term. Proposed reforms include amending the Federal Constitution to separate the roles of the Attorney-General and public prosecutor, as well as limiting the prime minister's tenure to 10 years.
The group also advocates for the creation of the Ombudsman Act and Freedom of Information Act, alongside laws ensuring equitable distribution of constituency development funds among all MPs, regardless of political affiliation. Other proposed measures include strengthening parliamentary committees, streamlining the budget drafting and review process, and allowing for the tabling, debating, and passage of Private Members' Bills.
The coalition also pushes for stronger parliamentary representation of women, youth, Orang Asli, and other ethnic groups, as well as a shift from the first-past-the-post system for state elections to a party-list proportional representation system. Additionally, they urge advance notice of any planned dissolution to prepare voters, the Election Commission, police, civil servants, and other stakeholders.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
