Melaka PH wants appointed reps declared unconstitutional
They say according to the state constitution, members of the Melaka assembly must be elected.
Two leaders from the Malaysian opposition party, Pakatan Harapan (PH), have initiated legal proceedings in Melaka to challenge the constitutionality of a state amendment that permits the appointment of unelected assemblymen. Adly Zahari, the chief of PH in Melaka, and his deputy, Khoo Poay Tiong, submitted the lawsuit at the Melaka High Court on Thursday and delivered the summons to the state secretary and legal advisor today.
Both leaders, filing the suit in their respective capacities as voters and assemblymen, argue that the amendment, gazetted on August 27, is unconstitutional since members of the Melaka assembly should only be elected. They contend that the provision allows unelected assemblymen to influence legislative decisions and disrupt the political equilibrium in the house.
PH abandoned its alliance with the Barisan Nasional-led Melaka government in July following the passage of the amendment, deeming it fundamentally incompatible with democratic principles. The Johor assembly also approved a similar amendment in June, eliciting protests from PH assemblymen in the state. Until now, only Sabah, Terengganu, and Pahang had enacted laws permitting appointed assemblymen.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 1 other outlet
- Melaka PH wants appointed reps declared unconstitutional freemalaysiatoday.com
