{
  "id": 4315979,
  "title": "Institusi kuat ukuran sebenar reformasi",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/institusi-kuat-ukuran-sebenar-reformasi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-30T00:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/pandangan/2026/08/30/institusi-kuat-ukuran-sebenar-reformasi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The effectiveness of reform agendas is not measured solely by the number of proposed laws or repeated slogans. A more crucial metric is whether the change truly curtails the misuse of power, strengthens checks and balances, and remains functional when governments change. The government acknowledges part of the agenda has been implemented, while other parts require time due to legislative and constitutional changes. It is a reality that must be accepted. Therefore, its achievement should not be viewed in black and white terms. Some reforms have already become law, others await implementation, and some need two-thirds parliamentary support to be enshrined. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, a notable change includes the amendment of the Audit Act 1957. The National Audit Office records this amendment, which expands the powers of the Chief Auditor and allows the auditing of up to 1,856 entities after the power delegation on November 1, 2024. This change is significant as public funds flow not only through ministries but also into government-linked companies, subsidiaries, and entities receiving government guarantees. The principle is straightforward: if public money is used, accountability must follow suit. Fiscal reform also carries long-term implications. The Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023 places accountability, governance, and financial management within the framework of legislation, including asset management, expenditure, borrowing, and debt. Its importance lies not only in controlling the deficit but also in compelling the government to publicly explain financial decisions and reduce financial management discretion based solely on political expediency. The Public Service Bill 2025 further restores legislative institution autonomy after it was abolished in 1992. This step aims to allow Parliament to determine its own rules and administration with more freedom. However, the approval of the legislation alone is not enough. Reform gains meaning only when regulations, administrative structures, and their implementation mechanisms truly function. This is crucial because Parliament should not be overly reliant on the executive branch that needs to be overseen. Checks and balances only make sense if the institution checking the government possesses the administrative capability and decision-making independence. At the administrative level, the Special Agencies Reform Task Force (STAR) focuses on reducing bureaucratic red tape and accelerating service delivery. Reform initiatives of this nature may not be as dramatic, but their impact can be felt in the daily lives of citizens and businesses. For citizens, the effect should be seen in daily affairs with the government. Streamlined procedures, faster service delivery, and less bureaucratic red tape mean waiting times can be reduced, and public services become more responsive. For the business community, more robust processes and clear regulations can reduce compliance time and costs, while also providing greater assurance to investors. The government itself earmarks process improvement and the elimination of sluggish procedures as part of its effort to boost productivity and competitiveness. The establishment of the Media Malaysia Council also marks a change following an idea discussed since 1973. The Media Malaysia Act 2024 was passed in February 2025, before the Act was enacted in June of the same year. However, some major agendas remain unfinished. Proposals to limit the term of Prime Ministers to a maximum of 10 years require constitutional amendments and sufficient parliamentary support to be enshrined. This fact reminds us that constitutional reform is not solely the king's property. It requires cross-party support if it is to survive beyond a single administration. If all parties truly want to prevent power concentration, they need to be prepared to support mechanisms that also limit their own power when they find themselves in government. Separating the roles of Attorney General and Prosecutor must also be given attention. The government is continuing discussions to separate these two functions after proposals related to the bills were presented to the Conference of Rulers. Constitutional reform is not about achieving a list of accomplishments. Its value lies in the ability to shift power from individuals to institutions, from expediency to regulation, and from political promises to a durable system. Ultimately, reform is not a race to achieve a list of achievements. Its value lies in the ability to move power from individuals to institutions, from expedience to regulation, and from political promises to a system that can endure for a long time.",
  "summary": "Undang-undang baharu hanya bermakna apabila pelaksanaannya memperkukuh semak dan imbang, meningkatkan akauntabiliti serta membawa perubahan dirasai rakyat.",
  "key_points": [
    "Government acknowledges part of reform agenda implemented, other parts require time",
    "Public Service Bill 2025 restores Parliament's legislative institution autonomy after 1992 abolition"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The government's reform efforts mark a shift towards strengthening institutions and checks and balances, curtailing the misuse of power, and ensuring accountability, ultimately aiming to make power more durable and less dependent on individuals.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Institusi kuat ukuran sebenar reformasi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/institusi-kuat-ukuran-sebenar-reformasi-4318894",
        "published": "2026-08-30T00:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}