Equal MP allocations must be institutionalised, says Kiandee

Kuala Lumpur - Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, the Beluran MP, has called for equal allocations for members of parliament to be institutionalised to ensure fairness across the political divide. This has been a persistent issue since 2018, when opposition MPs were denied allocations by the government of the day. Kiandee believes that without implementing equal allocations, government MPs could face the same treatment if they join the opposition in the future.

Furthermore, Kiandee has proposed constitutional amendments to increase the number of Deputy Speakers in the Dewan Rakyat. He argues that relying solely on Standing Order 7(3) to appoint MPs to temporarily chair proceedings is not a viable long-term solution. Standing Order 7(3) allows the Speaker to request an MP to preside over a sitting.

However, Kiandee, who is a former Deputy Speaker, states that the House frequently resorts to this provision, especially during late-night sittings. He suggests that if there are not enough Deputy Speakers, the Constitution should be amended to add the necessary number of presiding officers.

Kiandee also cites examples from other countries, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, where they have a larger number of Deputy Speakers for their respective Houses of Representatives. He emphasizes that the current situation in Malaysia necessitates the appointment of additional Deputy Speakers to effectively manage the sittings of the Dewan Rakyat.

While acknowledging that appointing more Deputy Speakers would involve additional costs, including salaries, allowances, office space, and staffing, Kiandee believes that the House needs more presiding officers to ensure smooth operations.