ON HUMAN RIGHTS, JUSTICE AND PEACE ISSUES, LABOUR RIGHTS, MIGRANT RIGHTS, FOR THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY, TOWARDS AN END OF TORTURE, POLICE ABUSES, DISCRIMINATION...
One of the failures of the PN-BN Plus government that was in power since Covid-19 came to Malaysia, is their failure to create LAWS that will deal with the problems facing workers, despite the fact that they could easily have done this, even during the Emergency.. Remember some laws did not even have to be passed by Parliament, as the relevant Act gives the power to Minister(or DG) to make subsidiary legislation, Regulations, Orders, etc
Generally, worker rights in Malaysia comes from the Employment Contract - note that even the Employment Act 1955, which provides for some basic worker rights, does not help ALL workers. The Act only applies to a small class of workers - generally those that earn RM2,000 a month or less, or those involved in Manual labour. Calls for these basic minimum rights for workers to be extended to ALL workers have not been heeded by past governments, be the BN government, PH Plus Government, or the PN-BN Plus government...so, will the next Prime Minister address these fundamental issues.
1 - Extend the application of the Employment Act 1955 to ALL WORKERS, or at the very least maybe to all workers earning RM5,000 or less.
2.PAID SICK LEAVE entitlement may need to be increased. Now, the Employment Act in Section 60F provides at minimum only 14 days, and 60 days Hospitalization - note the maximum of sick plus hospitalization is 60 days. A person infected by Covid-19 cannot work for 14 days - so, that extinguishes his sick leave, if he/she is not hospitalised, and this is not fair. Therefore, the Minimum Sick leave must be increased, to maybe 22 days. After all, people do get sick other than by Covid.
be entitled to paid sick leave-
(aa) where no hospitalisation is necessary-
(i) of fourteen days in the aggregate in each calendar year if the employee has been employed for less than two years;
(ii)
of eighteen days in the aggregate in each calendar year if the employee
has been employed for two years or more but less than five years;
(iii) of twenty-two days in the aggregate in each calendar year if the employee has been employed for five years or more; or
(bb)
of sixty days in the aggregate in each calendar year if hospitalisation
is necessary, as may be certified by such registered medical
practitioner or medical officer:
Provided that the
total number of days of paid sick leave in a calender year which an
employee is entitled to under this section shall be sixty days in the
aggregate;
3. Maybe, there needs to be a law, that stipulates that that home quarantine by reason of being infected by Covid-19 shall be deemed to be HOSPITALISATION. If not all workers, must be provided with a letter confirming that this stay at home is Hospitalization. This letter/document must be given now to all infected(or have been infected)
4.SPECIAL COVID Paid Leave for the uninfected - Covid-19 pandemic has forced workers not to be able to go to work. One, their area may be subjected to PKPD(Enhanced Movement Control Order), and they cannot leave the area they live in to go to work. Second, they may be identified as a 'close contact'(not infected), and have been ordered to self-quarantine for 14 days. Third, one in their household has been infected, and subjected to home quarantine as they are in Phase 1, 2 or 3 (Now, with lack of available hospital space, those infected with mild consequences are asked to 'self-quarantine' at home, and naturally those living in the same home should not be moving around or going for work.). How many days? Maybe 14-20 days paid leave for situation where a non-sick worker cannot go to work. It could also be 14 days paid leave, and there 3/4 pay leave for a further 14 days. Now, this leave to be extended for situations like Flood, Natural Disasters, etc that prevent workers form being able to go to work. It may also include situation where the worker has to be present at the police station, courts, etc or has been remanded for investigation as a suspect.
5. The Occupational Safety and Health Act need to be amended, where Covid-19 is listed as an occupational disease, placing an obligation on employers to keep workers safe from Covid-19, or similar infectious diseases. Now, this ACT has no such list. The Declaration of Occupational Diseases PU(b) 355/2000 has yet to include Covid-19 as an occupational disease - and we know about Covid-19 since the beginning of 2020.
6.Transform the current SOPs into Regulations, for a breach of regulations is an OFFENCE in law, while a breach of SOPs or recommendations may not still be. The law currently does not make a breach of any SOP or Recommendation into an offence, punishable by law. We need specific REGULATIONS, providing also for offences and penalties, for workplaces.
7.A CLEAR LAW/REGULATION - when Covid infection is detected at a workplace, previously the practice was that the said workplace was closed for 14 days(and also sanitized), and all workers will be subjected to self quarantine at their residence. But then, now we see, it is uncertain. Even when Covid-19 was detected in Parliament, it was not shut down immediately, and neither were the MPs and workers therein subjected to 14 days self-quarantine. On site testing is insufficient, as we know that such tests even if infected may not show positive immediately but may do so maybe 10 days later - that was the justification for the 14 days quarantine for all those returning to Malaysia from overseas. Did the government LIE about this - was that 14 day quarantine really unrequired, if all that was needed to be done, was just test and those tested negative could go around as usual...How many days will the workers therein be self-quarantined? How many days will the workplace have to be closed?
This is but some points but the government can act on this first...and, if additional laws/regulations needed, this can be done later. Remember, many of these Regulations, Orders, etc do not have to be passed by Parliament as the relevant Act already gives power to the relevant Minister(or DG) to do this anytime.
Remember statements of the government, PM or Minister cannot be relied on for the conferment of legal rights/obligations on employer/workers - these need specific LAWS. Statements may appease the people, but if it is not followed up with the needed laws, it is but USELESS.
Besides worker issues, there are other matters of concern like the "Loan Moratorium" - was it legally binding and can be relied later on by the people when their financial institutions go after them for the immediate payment of all that owed payments, not paid for several months because of the Moratorium?
When the King decided that all 220 MPs are supposed to affirm a Statutory Declaration, indicating choice of MP for Prime Minister, without any conditions - it finally broke political party 'CONTROL' of their party MPs to vote as party directs - hence violating MPs rights to free choice and free expression. MPs can now freely exercise the right to choose - but will they, will they still simply vote as their party directs???
After the votes are in, the King, I believe, should announce the results - and then call for another round of votes vide SDs (akin a secret ballot) again if no individual MPs manage to secure the needed 111 plus votes. This process continues until one emerges with a majority.
If after the 3rd round, no one emerges with the needed majority - then maybe the top 3 candidates will continue with the 4th round. Thereafter, just the top 2, and then, we will have one MP victor who can be appointed PM.
This REFORMASI by the KING will be difficult for many MPs for they are used to the old ways where they will 'sell' their support for some benefit/post/etc
This move is positive as it prevents any party or MPs. For example, they cannot demand Cabinet position, Chief Ministership of States, discontinuation of investigation, cases or 'pardons', monies or other positions as CONDITIONS for their support.
POLITICAL Party decisions are usually never unanimous
Are POLITICAL Party decisions - the decisions of all of its executive committee, let alone its members? Or just the decision of the President and/or principal office bearers?
One may win the election and become President today, but tomorrow members may think differently ... if elections were held in a year, the incumbent may be defeated.
Now, PH Parties came out with a statement that they choose ANWAR IBRAHIM as their Prime Ministrial candidate. Well, was it a UNANIMOUS decision of PH leadership? Was it a unanimous decision of PKR? of DAP? of Amanah? Or was it a win by majority votes - maybe even 1 or 2 votes? This is the reality in many societies, including political parties... so should the individual MPs(some maybe not even in the decision making process of parties) simply do as the party directs even if that decision was nothing but a simple majority. [Yes - remember some parties like PKR bestow great powers on its President to nominate many others into its Central Committee - usually, the power rests with the elected members of the party executive bodies)
PRIME MINISTER free to chose his team - the Cabinet
The PRIME MINISTER then should freely choose amongst the best qualified MPs or Senators persons to be in his/her TEAM - i.e. the Cabinet. After all, all blame caused by failings of any Ministries at the end of the day falls on the head of the Prime Minister...
Prime Minister can still be removed anytime thereafter if loses majority support
Any PRIME MINISTER can at any time thereafter lose the 'majority support', and the withdrawal of support really should be based on good principles, values, etc - not simply because I was not appointed into Cabinet, or my 'people' not get a political appointment,...or my case/investigation was not dropped.
What are the principle issues like - if MP believes that Detention Without Trial laws must be abolished, and everyone should deserve a right to a FAIR TRIAL - and the government denies to even table a Bill, or want to extend the use of DWT laws, then that is a fundamental issue.
Another may be demands that State sovereignty be enhanced, not just Sabah/Sarawak - and the PM refuses to even table a BILL.
Another could be the abolition of SEDITION ACT - now, all that is required by the PM and his Cabinet is the tabling of a BILL
At the end of the day, it is the MPs that will debate and decide whether something is passed or not. So, all that the PM and Cabinet(Executive) need do is to put it to Parliament - if voted down, then the PM cannot be faulted.
PARLIAMENT RESTRUCTURED - Abolition of Opposition and 'Government' distinction.
Currently, some call them 'GOVERNMENT MPs' simply because they come from same political partiesof the PM or his Cabinet - If not in Cabinet, they are supposed to be a 'check and balance' - but they normally end up being government supporters - more so when those in the Cabinet are also their political parties.
We, the people, elect individual persons to be our MPs - we do not vote for the political party. Or maybe, next GE, no candidates, just pick the party you support - and then party places its candidate????
REFORM - On one side will sit the Government MPs - this will only be MPs who are in the Cabinet...Full Stop.
All other MPs will be on the other side - even MPs from parties whose members are the Prime Minister, Minister or Deputy Minister.
Remember, non-Cabinet MPs are supposed to be the 'check and balance' to the Cabinet/Executive[PM and his Cabinet].
All MPs treated EQUALLY - not be discriminated in terms of allowances/salaries and even any other additional allocations. [Of course, I believe that other government allocations are just for the MPs offices and staff, plus additional matters like utilities, transportation, etc.. MPs should not be receiving monies to carry out government responsibilities which should be done by the respective Ministries/Departments - MPs, like any other peoples' representatives can simply bring to the notice of the relevant government departments, or HIGHLIGHT their failings pushing for these responsible departments to do the needed.
PM Selection in the Future - people vote, not MPs
- Maybe the people should be given the right to VOTE on who will be the Prime Minister, and the King will then appoint the one with the highest vote. [Many simply are not very happy with the choices of MPs or 'political parties'
- A party President may be a good political party President - but he/she may NOT be the best choice for Prime Minister. It is very sad that in Malaysia, it is always a 'Party President' who is advanced as the Prime Minister candidate...this must stop.
- In my opinion, Party Presidents(supreme leaders) should best stay away from holding Cabinet positions. This is to ensure that political parties also can play a much needed role of 'check and balance'. If in Cabinet, he/she is expected to be loyal to the PM or rather the Cabinet - after all, PM cannot decide on his own - all decisions are decisions of the Cabinet. Hence, a party President simply loses his independence to act as Party President. The other option, is that once any in party leadership accepts appointment into Cabinet, he/she abdicates his party position - could be also 'leave of absence', and this restores the political parties independence to speak out and act as a 'check and balance'.
WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES OF THE NEXT PRIME MINISTER?
Media is making speculations - they simply do not know who the MPs named in their SDs submitted to the King.
MUHYIDDIN may very likely also be a candidate - in fact a rather strong candidate, as he comes from BERSATU and PN, and has publicly taken a position that he will not interfere in investigation/cases of alleged kleptocrats, etc of any MPs.
Mahathir also cannot be discounted...
Accepting anyone from UMNO, especially those with pending investigations/cases may not be an option. Interestingly, Ismail Sabri and Hishamuddin stands apart from these persons in recent support for Muhyiddin - but evaluation of just recent behaviour may just not suffice.
Anwar Ibrahim from PH - well, he has tried and tried before and failed. His party also lost too many MPs, an indication that his in-party support may also have declined. Do all the remaining PKR MPs even support him?
DAP faces the problem of not having a 'Malay/Bumiputra' candidate - and are the MPs ready to choose a non-Malay Prime Minister - the people may, but maybe not the sitting MPs. Guan Eng's case is also a problem. If Anwar becomes PM, i just hope that he will not discontinue investigation/cases against PH party members. PH's failure to deliver on its past GE promises also angers many. Sedition Act still there. Peaceful Assembly Act still there - which even made the recent Opposition MPs 'peaceful gathering' at Dataran Merdeka a violation of the PH amended Act, that still requires 5 DAYS NOTICE to police before the assembly...funny, is it not?
East Malaysian PM, also a possibility - or will the Peninsular Malaysian parties be open? Will the religious based party be able to advance a candidate?
A new 'untarnished' by being in past governments MP should also be considered - maybe MPs like Hassan Karim, Fahmi, Barubian, Charles Santiago, Nurul Izzah, Nazri Aziz... The fact that one was in the BN, PH or PN Cabinet is prejudicial as they also take the blame of those government failures, don't they?
So, let's wait and see what the King announces tomorrow - I hope that this voting process be repeated(as each time voting happens, it takes a day - when MPs have to send their votes fast, by 4 pm today as an example). So several votings may take a few days - and we can wait.
Hope is that any PM will not interfere in any investigations/cases of MPs or politicians when they come into power. No interference in the administration of justice please. The relevant law enforcement authorities must be free to even investigate sitting Prime Minister, and charge him/her in court...
Factbox - Possible candidates for new Malaysia PM
Reuters
Ogos 17, 2021
03:23 MYT
(Top L-R) Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Hishammuddin Hussein, (Bottom
L-R) Anwar Ibrahim, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah. - Pic via BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Prime Minister
Muhyiddin Yassin resigned on Monday but agreed to stay on as a caretaker
until a new government can be formed.
Much remains uncertain, with no other politician holding a clear
majority in the 222-member Parliament. King Al-Sultan Abdullah has the
power to appoint a premier on the basis of who he thinks can command a
majority.
Here are some possible candidates.
ISMAIL SABRI YAAKOB
Malaysia's deputy prime minister with a key role in tackling
the COVID-19 crisis, Ismail Sabri was appointed to his position in July
in a bid by Muhyiddin to ease tension with key ally, the United Malays
National Organisation (UMNO) party.
He could get support from the majority of Muhyiddin's coalition,
backed by about 100 lawmakers. But it is unclear if he has UMNO's full
support. Ismail Sabri went against the party's call to withdraw support
for Muhyiddin.
UMNO lost a 2018 election over widespread graft accusations, but
political instability has prevailed since its defeat and it is now key
to the formation of any new government.
TENGKU RAZALEIGH HAMZAH
A veteran lawmaker of 47 years who held various ministerial
positions. Popularly known as Ku Li, he was the founding chairman of
state energy firm Petronas.
The 84-year-old UMNO politician is seen as a compromise candidate for the party's different factions.
It is unclear which UMNO candidate would be backed by former
premier Najib Razak and party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, both
influential figures who supported the move against Muhyiddin.
Both face criminal corruption charges, which they deny, and have
slim chances themselves of getting the top job, but may have the power
to influence who does.
ANWAR IBRAHIM
The 74-year-old opposition leader has repeatedly made a play for
the top job, but has failed to show he can command a majority.
Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition has 88 lawmakers, well short of
the simple majority needed to form a government. His old foe, former
prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, and some other opposition lawmakers, do
not support his leadership bid.
HISHAMMUDDIN HUSSEIN
The senior foreign minister in Muhyiddin's Cabinet, Hishammuddin
has been a lawmaker for 26 years and is a cousin of controversial former
leader Najib.
He leads another faction in UMNO and has held portfolios in
several administrations. He was prominent internationally as the
embattled transport minister after the 2014 disappearance of Malaysia
Airlines flight MH370.
MUHYIDDIN YASSIN
The king opted to retain Muhyiddin as caretaker in the absence of
an obvious successor with sufficient parliamentary backing. But there
are no rules to keep him from seeking the post again, should he manage
to secure the numbers.
Muhyiddin's rise to prime minister followed similar circumstances
in Malaysia as those now. But he was clear in citing parliament's lack
of confidence in him as grounds to resign, as well as vowing not to work
with those he called "kleptocrats". - Astro Awani
Yes, the PM has met the King and tendered the RESIGNATION OF THE CABINET by reason of loss of confidence of the majority of the Members of Parliament(MPs), and the King has accepted.
GOOD NEWS that the King CHOSE not to dissolve Parliament, but rather to try and identify a new Prime Minister. Remember, that if Parliament was dissolved until next General Elections, then the risk that a 'caretaker' Prime Minister may advice the King to proclaim another Emergency, for the objective, amongst others, to delay the General Elections by reason of Covid-19. During this period, Executive power really rests with that 'caretaker Prime Minister' who then also can bring about all kinds of Emergency Ordinances. REMEMBER in Malaysia, the King has to act on the advice of the Cabinet - and the Caretaker Prime Minister may be the one-man Executive, unless also he appoints a few others as members of the caretaker Cabinet, or he can simply rely on a team of advisers. How long will the process to identify and appoint next PM take?
This is certainly a better situation, as Parliament remains and we are just waiting for the King to appoint a new Prime Minister - not waiting for a General Elections.
But then, will there be any MP that is able to get the support of the majority for the King to appoint as the new Prime Minister.
Problem again is how does the King confirm this majority - Nowadays Statutory Declarations and Letters of Support signed by individual MPs seems to be 'worthless' - as MPs seems to change their minds so easily in hours sometimes. Remember, once when Anwar and PH claimed support of 114 MPs, and within hours a couple on those in the list came out and DENIED on social media
So what do we do - SHOULD WE CLOISTER THEM 220 MPs and not allow them to leave until they choose an MP with the confidence of the majority to be Prime Minister. Maybe, better if it be by SECRET BALLOT. First round, ask for nominations. If 5 names nominated, then a secret ballot. The 3 with the highest vote will then go for the next round of voting, and so on. It all comes to an end if any PM candidate at any stage manages to get more than 110 votes...being it during the 1st vote or thereafter. Should the King do this? An idea to consider.
Not a problem really - as any PM can be removed at any time when he/she loses the confidence of the majority.
Hopefully, the King is able to identify the MP which have the confidence of the majority FAST. Remember, he must just be considering the choice of the individual MP - not the party that MP is affiliated to...
So, what will the KING do now. In some countries, the practice is that the party with the highest number of MPs is given the first chance, and if we fails to do it within a stipulated time, say 2 days, the the 2nd Highest Party is given the chance ....thereafter, maybe the CLOISTERED IN A HALL UNTIL THE 220 MPs can decide on a PM. If everything fails, no choice but a General Elections.
Pakatan Harapan has 88 MPs, Perikatan Nasional has 50, and BN has 42 - these are all the main registered political parties
Parliament scheduled to meet on 6th or 7th September, and there, the FIRST PRIORITY of Parliament should be making the needed LAW or amendments to allow Parliament to continue sitting and carrying out its functions LEGALLY virtually/online without having to be physically present in the Dewan in Parliament. If Dewan Rakyat passes this law(amendment), then Senat should also sit FAST, and pass it - and then the AGUNG assents. This can be done in 3 days or even less. Foolish if Parliament does other things first - do they really want a functioning Parliament?
The RISK of Parliament being adjourned by reason of Covid-19 infection is very REAL - and for MPs to even suggest that no matter how many cases detected, Parliament should continue to sit is unacceptable. After all, that is the current Standard Operating Procedure, or LAW for any other workplace or business premises - once a Covid infection detected, immediate shut down of premises for a certain number of days, de-sanitation - and all staff/present will be required to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days(or is it less now). Are our PEOPLES' REPRESENTATIVE suggesting that they are above the law, or they should be treated differently from the rest of us? I really hope not - remember our constitution guarantees EQUALITY and equal treatment under the law.
So, MPs, lets us FIRST make sure that Parliament can be able to continue to meet and function as needed. Remember also, even if another Emergency get declared, Parliament has to put in place needed LAWS(or Emergency Ordinances) needed to face this pandemic quickly. PN government, in my opinion, failed miserably to enact the needed laws to protect the people - mere statements of PM/Ministers/Government is useless to overcome existing laws and contracts/agreements. Is there even a law that makes this Covid-19 pandemic to be considered something, that allow us to rely on 'force majeure' - an unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract. Are workers to use up their paid annual leaves, simply because they have been 'quarantined', they live in a PKPD area, etc - still no laws about this and many things...more about this in later posts.
AS, IT STANDS NOW, THE KING HAS MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IN NOT SUSPENDING PARLIAMENT, RATHER TO SIMPLY FIND AND APPOINT A NEW PRIME MINISTER. But some problems will arise, if there will not be any MP with the needed majority, or if the process of identifying/appointing new PM takes too long. A PM(even a caretaker PM) still do have the power - we risk the 'Dictatorship of the Care-Taker PM' - who still may have the power to advise the King to declare another Emergency, to again 'suspend Parliament', and even delay General Elections for a very very long time....Even if such actions may later be considered 'illegal' by Courts but it may simply be too late.
This is but my OPINION and concerns
Agong accepts PM's resignation, Muhyiddin is now caretaker PM
KUALA
LUMPUR: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has accepted Prime Minister Tan Sri
Muhyiddin Yassin's resignation along with his cabinet today.
In a statement posted on the Istana Negara Facebook page today,
Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the
King has consented to Muhyiddin taking over the role of caretaker prime
minister until his successor is appointed.
The Ruler also opined that the execution of the 15th General Election
(GE15) is not the best option (to appoint a new government) after
taking into consideration the safety and wellbeing of the people during
the current Covid-19 pandemic.
"This is in accordance with Article 40(2)(a) and 43(2)(a) of the
Federal Constitution which states that His Majesty must appoint a member
of the Dewan Rakyat who in his opinion commands the confidence of the
majority of Dewan Rakyat members as the new Prime Minister to chair the
cabinet.
"His Majesty also expressed his appreciation to Muhyiddin and the
cabinet members for their services to the country and the administration
under Perikatan Nasional (PN) since March 1, 2020, especially in the
fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
"As the Head of State, His Majesty understands and respects the
country's legal system and processes and also respects any decision made
by Muhyiddin in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the rule
of law," the statement said.
Earlier at 12.30pm today, Muhyiddin had an audience with the King for
30 minutes, right after the caretaker prime minister chaired his last
cabinet meeting this morning.
On GE15, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was of the opinion that a
nationwide poll was not a viable option given the severity of the
current pandemic.
During an audience with the King on Aug 10, the Election Commission
chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh, according to the statement by the
palace, had told the Yang di-Pertuan Agong that 79 per cent of state
constituencies are currently under Covid-19 red zones.
"Therefore, His Majesty opined that the execution of GE15 is not the best option for the welfare and safety of the people.
"His Majesty conveyed his hope that the ongoing and endless political
crisis that has disrupted the governance of the country will end for
the sake of the people and the country's economy which are being
threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic," he said. - New Straits Times, 16/8/2021
PM Muhyiddin's quest for confidence of majority may be an OPPORTUNITY for Democratic Reforms - A clear divide between EXECUTIVE and LEGISLATURE. Similar to what Mahathir proposed in early 2020? But, maybe Muhyiddin may need to quit to be replaced by another - followed by a new Cabinet as well, with the best of MPs becoming Ministers.
Well, PH and UMNO has rejected the 'offer' - but wonder whether all the MPs in those parties decided, or was it merely the 'leadership'. The 'feudalism' within political parties really must end to be replaced with true democracy within parties.
When at present, there seems to be NO OTHER MP with the required majority support to be appointed Prime Minister, rather than dissolution of Parliament, and a RISK that we may end up under the dictatorship of some 'caretaker PM' who may revive EMERGENCY to delay General Elections indefinitely using the Covid-19 justification is a real concern.
Malaysia may soon be practicing true DEMOCRACY, which is consistent as per the Federal Constitution - which do not really place any importance to political parties.
Democracy provides for 3 Branches of Government - the EXECUTIVE, the LEGISLATURE and the JUDICIARY.
EXECUTIVE is the Prime Minister and his/her Cabinet.
LEGISLATURE is all the Members of Parliament and Senators, and they have to be the check and balance to the Executive - this responsibility naturally fall to ALL MPs not members of the Cabinet. That includes also MPs from parties that support the PM(popularly known as the 'Back-Benchers) and those who do not support the PM(popularly known as the 'Opposition'). It is common to see that the 'Back-Benchers' often fail in their role of being a 'check and balance', and are seen to be pro-Executive MPs, who are often seen as staunch supporters of the PM and Cabinet did. Sadly, when it comes to VOTING for Bills and other votes, MPs vote not according to their personal beliefs/convictions/values - but simply as 'directed' by their respective political parties who provide 'orders' of how to vote by 'party WHIPS' - So, in Parliament, MPs no longer act as peoples' representatives but rather party representatives. If only all non-Cabinet MPs carried out their duty to be an effective 'check and balance' to the Executive, it would be so much better. If only they debated and voted simply based on their own position for the best interest of the people and country, it will be so much better.
PRIME MINISTER's Cabinet - it is ONLY him that chooses the best amongst MPs and/or Senators to be in the Cabinet. This usually does not happen as the past PMs seem to have to listen to the demands and quotas imposed by the parties or MPs that supported him - hence, we find not the BEST of the MPs chosen to be this or that Minister...
The Federal Constitution does not BAR the PM from choosing a MP in an Opposition party to be a member of the Cabinet. The choice of the Cabinet is solely the choice of the Prime Minister. An end of the demands of parties that supported the PM that he appoints so and so, or so many from their party into Cabinet is so much better..
The idea that Muhyiddin may be proposing now(or rather forcing us to think about 'alternatives' to existing norm) is not new for Malaysia - in fact, Mahathir also proposed a similar idea
Dr Mahathir said that it would have
been his job as an interim prime minister to help set up a government
where office bearers would be appointed regardless of their political
affiliations, but asserted that other politicians could only see the
interests of their political parties instead of the nation’s.
“I
thought we should all forget about our parties and think about the
nation. So I told all party heads that we should have a Unity Government
and parties should forget their individual agenda. We should also bring
in non-politicians into the government,” he said in a blog post,
referring to his unity government proposal that he had also announced in
a television broadcast on February 26.
What Muhyiddin may be proposing now is that MPs support him as Prime Minister. Is he suggesting also that the best available MPs and/or Senators (irrespective of party affiliation) will be appointed to be members of his Cabinet?
GE14 or PRU14 was the first time where no SINGLE party emerged with a MAJORITY sufficient to select a Prime Minister.
As Pakatan Harapan had yet to be REGISTERED, the victorious coalition of parties included PKR, DAP, Amanah and BERSATU. These parties joined other parties and MPs including Warisan, parties in Sabah/Sarawak made the needed numbers to bring what came to be known as the PH PLUS government.
On 16 May 2018, the PH coalition was officially registered, but interestingly the full members were 4 - PKR, DAP, Amanah and BERSATU. Others were merely allied parties or strategic partners.
Then there was a lot of PARTY HOPPING - and even the PH member parties accepted these party hoppers, many from the BN.
Then BERSATU leaves PH, and PKR also lost a lot of MPs - the Sheraton Move. A new coalition of parties and MPs that included BN and PAS. This finally led to Muhyiddin emerging as the MP with the confidence of the majority to be PM - and he was elected as Prime Minister.
Perikatan Nasional was registered on 7 August 2020 as Parti Perikatan Nasional - its members were BERSATU, PAS, STAR, GERAKAN and SAPP, and the total number of MPs was 50. Hence again, we did not have any single party with majority. PN with the support of other parties and independent MPs, including the BN(note post GE14, BN's membership shrunk to just about 4 - UMNO, MIC, MCA and PBRS, after GE14 BN parties had about 79 MPs, and now about 40)
With the withdrawal of support from some UMNO MPs, PM Muhyiddin may be in a situation that he no longer enjoys the majority of MPs support - hence, the issue now. So far, no other MP has emerged as having the majority support. Whilst Anwar Ibrahim may have the support of PH, he has difficulty of even getting the support of other existing Opposition MPs - if PH supports some other MP, then there is the possibility of some other than Muhyiddin emerging with the required majority support to be PM.
Political parties are also facing a 'dilemma' - as supporting a 'wrong' candidate may diminish its support amongst the voters come next election. BN's election not to join PN is possibly because of this.
The government of the day as such is not simply a Perikatan Nasional government(who has about 50 MPs) - but a coalition government of PN-BN-GPS Plus.
COVID-19 makes it very unsafe to have the next General Elections, more so the required amendments of law that may have made a 'SAFE' elections possible as we are in a pandemic has yet to be made. Needed Bills were not tabled, passed, etc - a failure of Muhyiddin's government?
SO, is it time to move away from PARTY POLITICS when it comes to election of the PM, and thereafter new PM's Cabinet?
Is it time for non-Cabinet MPs/Senators to be an effective Legislature that will keep a close check and balance of the EXECUTIVE(PM and Cabinet)?
Is it time to get rid of the 'PARTY WHIP SYSTEM' - that removes the freedom of independent MPs to debate and vote as per their views(and those of their own constituencies) as a TRUE People's Representative? In other countries, they have the 'WHIP' but it is used for very important votes only - usually Financial Bills or on matters of fundamental issues - not always.
The OLD SYSTEM saw the PM & Cabinet(Executive) being forced to had out unnecessary 'gifts' like political appointments, GLC positions, etc - including MORE financial allocations to MPs that support the 'government' - Some Muhyiddin's proposal of SAME allocations to all MPs is a breath of fresh air.
One worry expressed was 'Dictatorship of the PM' - lame as any Prime Minister can so easily be removed by a loss of majority support. So, when some talk about this 'DICTATORSHIP', what they mean is the loss of ability for political parties that support the government to control decision-making by the Prime Minister. LAME, also as then we already have the LEGISLATURE and the JUDICIARY in place to be a 'check and balance'. So, that worry may be simply because of a 'selfish reason' of some political party leaders to be able to CONTROL the PM/Cabinet?
HENCE, knowing that dissolution of Parliament and the holding of the next General Elections NOW during the Covid-19 Pandemic may not be best for the well-being, health, etc of the people - other options considered.
The PRIORITY of them Opposition, or even the existing PN-BN-GPS Plus coalition, is to be ABLE TO FORWARD AN MP WHO ENJOYS THE MAJORITY SUPPORT OF THE 220 MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE KING TO BE ABLE TO APPOINT A NEW PRIME MINISTER.
We all believe that Muhyiddin may have lost majority support, so a VOTE of Confidence(or Non-Confidence) during the next Parliamentary session beginning 6/9/2021 is NOT THE PRIORITY. If NO other MP with the required majority support, then the KING may have no choice ... and we may be put under a very real 'dictatorship' of the 'caretaker or interim Prime Minister', who by reason of Covid may delay indefinitely the next General Elections...
Who can be the MP who has the majority support? Ismail Sabri(current DPM), Anwar Ibrahim(Opposition Leader), Mahathir(former PM), Ku Li (former President of Semangat 46 and 'former leader' of Opposition), Hassan Karim, Tony Pua, Shafie Apdal, Najib, .....WHO? WHO?
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Muhyiddin offers olive branch to opposition, promises reforms
Published
Modified 8:39 am
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today said he cannot resign because no one else commands the majority to replace him.
He said a government is needed to ensure that the ongoing Covid-19 vaccination programme continues as scheduled.
He
also appealed to the opposition to back him in the upcoming confidence
vote by promising a slew of reforms. He promised, among others:
Bipartisan consultation for supply (budget) bills.
Implementation of Undi18 without waiting for automatic registration.
Laws to prevent defection of lawmakers.
Term limits for prime minister.
Annual allocation for all MPs.
Half of the select committees are to be headed by the opposition.
Opposition leader to be treated as a senior cabinet minister.
Some
of the proposed reforms - term limits for the prime minister and the
"anti-hopping" law - will require constitutional amendments, he said.
Muhyiddin said he envisaged a government that is more stable and inclusive after the confidence vote.
"The purpose of my proposal is to allow the government to function during a pandemic through bipartisan support in Parliament.
"I
will invite all political party leaders to discuss this proposal next
week... I am ready to listen to their feedback on these proposals," he
added.
Should a deal be struck, Muhyiddin said he will call for a special sitting of the Dewan Rakyat.
"I promise that I will act honourably and constitutionally to resolve this political crisis.
"My priority is only to ensure the government continues to function, handle the pandemic and resuscitate the country," he added.
Muhyiddin's
olive branch came at a time when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is
attempting to independently evaluate whether the former still commanded
support from the majority.
Under Article 43 of the
Federal Constitution, a prime minister that ceases command of the
majority has to resign unless the Agong agrees to dissolve Parliament.
As
of Aug 9, Muhyiddin is believed to command the support of 100 MPs - 11
short of a simple majority - after Umno officially withdrew support.
Two Umno MPs have left his cabinet. Twelve others have withdrawn support. - Malaysiakini, 13/8/2021
Dr Mahathir says failed to form unity govt in 2020 as Kit Siang felt he was aiming to be dictator
Ida Lim
·3-min read
Former
prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he ultimately failed to get
sufficient numbers of MPs to back him in forming a unity government
last year. — File picture by Miera Zulyana
KUALA
LUMPUR, Feb 3 ― Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he was unsuccessful
in forming a unity government last year after the collapse of the
Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration he led, due to the perception that
he was a “dictator”.
Musing on how Malaysia would have turned out
if he had managed to get a unity government together, the former prime
minister said he ultimately failed to get sufficient numbers of MPs to
back him for such a cause.
Dr Mahathir said that it would have
been his job as an interim prime minister to help set up a government
where office bearers would be appointed regardless of their political
affiliations, but asserted that other politicians could only see the
interests of their political parties instead of the nation’s.
“I
thought we should all forget about our parties and think about the
nation. So I told all party heads that we should have a Unity Government
and parties should forget their individual agenda. We should also bring
in non-politicians into the government,” he said in a blog post,
referring to his unity government proposal that he had also announced in
a television broadcast on February 26.
Having stepped down on
February 24, 2020 as prime minister following a series of events sparked
by the infamous “Sheraton Move”, Dr Mahathir was appointed on the same
day by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be interim prime minister while
waiting for a new prime minister to be appointed and a new Cabinet to be
formed.
The Langkawi MP noted that the late Tun Abdul Razak
Hussein had as the head of Malaysia’s National Operations Council ―
formed after the May 13, 1969 racial riots ― sought to bring all the
opposition parties into the government.
“He succeeded with
Gerakan, PAS and SUPP. But DAP refused. Still he felt justified in
naming the new coalition, the National Front or Barisan Nasional,” Dr
Mahathir said.
Recalling Razak’s efforts, Dr Mahathir said he thought that something similar was needed for Malaysia.
“But
I failed because Kit Siang said I was trying to become a dictator. He
supported Anwar as the PH candidate. Had the 92 votes gone to me I would
have 154 votes. You can imagine what direction the nation would take
when all parties put the nation first,” he said, referring to DAP
veteran leader Lim Kit Siang and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
DAP,
PKR and Parti Amanah Negara form the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia was formerly a member before its pullout
resulted in the collapse of the PH federal government and led to Dr
Mahathir’s resignation as prime minister on February 24, 2020.
Days
after Dr Mahathir’s February 26 public suggestion of a unity government
and after several names were floated as candidates to be prime minister
by different political groups, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was on March 1
sworn in as the country’s eighth prime minister.
Ramai pekerja di Malaysia telah MENDAHULUKAN wang peribadi semasa pandemik Covid-19 untuk menampung kehidupan, tetapi adakah kerajaan Malaysia akan bayar kembali wang kami?
Pengorbanan pekerja terpaksa kerana kerajaan tak berupaya segera memberikan pekerja dan warga lain wang perlu untuk menampung kehidupan apabila terpaksa berhenti bekerja atau berniaga yang perlu untuk mendapatkan pendapatan peribadi kerana kami sedia berkorban demi negara - untuk menangani Covid-19. Pengorbanan demi kepentingan umum...
DUIT rakyat adalah di dalam tangan kerajaan yang diberikan tugas menguruskan wang kami - termasuk membuat apa yang perlu untuk menjana lebih wang rakyat.
Wang dalam KWSP/EPF(Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja) adalah wang peribadi pekerja - pekerja dan majikan yang menyumbang kepada KWSP - kerajaan langsung tidak menyumbang apa-apa setiap bulan. Apa-apa wang dalam akaun KWSP pekerja adalah milik peribadi pekerja sahaja.
KWSP diwujudkan untuk 'simpanan hari tua' - untuk menampung kehidupan pekerja sekeluarga apabila tidak lagi mampu bekerja atau menjana pendapatan. Pekerja dipaksa menyimpan wang setiap bulan, dan majikan juga diperlukan melalui undang-undang untuk membayar peratusan tertentu setiap bulan.
Skim PAKSA 'simpanan hari tua' diwujudkan kerana realisasi bahawa sekiranya jika hanya dinasihati, ramai di Malaysia tidak akan menyimpan wang untuk hari tua. Bila tua, tak ada wang untuk menampung kehidupan. Justeru, simpanan paksa. TAMBAHAN - majikan juga dipaksa menyumbang peratusan tertentu.
Selain daripada KWSP, satu lagi skim untuk membantu pekerja bila sudah tua adalah skim PENCEN - tetapi malangnya ianya di Malaysia hanya untuk penjawat awam, termasuk MP, ADUN, Menteri, dll ..
Berbanding dengan KWSP, skim Pencen adalah lebih baik kerana ia menjamin pembayaran bulanan sehingga seseorang meninggal dunia - dan selepas itu, peratusan pencen untuk isteri/suami sehingga mereka meninggal dunia. Wajar dan adil sekiranya skim PENCEN terpakai untuk semua orang di Malaysia.
Kerana pandemic Covid, kerajaan telah menutup banyak tempat kerja dan premis sumber pendapatan rakyat termasuk gerai pasar malam, dsb demi strategi umum - JUSTERU, kerajaan sepatutnya pada masa yang sama memastikan semua meureka yang terjejas dari segi pendapatan - sehingga kosong bagi setengah hari dibantu dengan peruntukan MINIMA bulanan sebanyak mungkin RM1,000 seorang - untuk memastikan rakyat ada wang untuk kehidupan harian minima sekurang-kurangnya.
BERBILLION telah dibelanjakan tetapi apa yang pekerja mendapat... Setengah pekerja dan orang perseorangan saperti pekerja sektor awam, badan berkanun kerajaan dan juga pesara kerajaan di mana pendapatan bulanan tak terjejas langsung - setiap bulan terus menerima gaji dan pencen sama TAK PERLU hulurkan apa-apa bantuan tambahan TETAPI semua pekerja dan orang lain yang terjejas perlukan bantuan bulanan.
Kerajaan bermegah membuat beberapa SKIM supaya rakyat boleh keluarkan dari skim KWSP - tapi rakyat bukan BODOH - ini adalah duit pekerja sendiri...
Masalah dengan kerajaan Malaysia adalah peningkatan penswastaan termasuk juga bagi sektor Kesihatan dan Pendidikan. INI KESILAPAN BESAR - kerana KESIHATAN dan Pendidikan adalah hak asas, di mana semua harus boleh menerima kesihatan dan pendidikan percuma. Bagus, di Malaysia, masih hanya perlu bayar RM1 untuk jumpa doktor(ubat semua percuma), dan jika mahu jumpa pakar kena bayar RM5. Tetapi, jika masuk hospital, masih kena bayar sewa katil, kos lain - yang rendah. Di negara jiran Thailand, hanya dengan pembayaran RM3(atau 30 Baht) - semua cover termasuk kos katil, pembedahan, X-ray, dsb. nya
Jika Malaysia bergerak terus arah sekarang, kita akan memakai ideologi KAPITALISMA saperti di US - di mana, tak ada wang, tak ada perkhidmatan kesihatan. Sebaliknya di UK, bila pergi ke hospital, semua PERCUMA, dan kamu juga boleh menuntut kembali wang yang digunakan untuk pergi ke hospital sekiranya kamu gunakan perkhidmatan awam.
Justeru, arah tuju kerajaan Malaysia adalah sangat menakutkan kepada semua orang khususnya bila sudah tua dan tidak ada lagi sumber pendapatan....adakah kamu akan ada cukup wang untuk hidup?
Harga barangan - kerajaan BN dahulu telah mengeluarkan semua barangan perlu yang dikawal harga dari senarai - kini, kawalan harga biasa musim perayaan. Baru ini, harga barang perlu asas, iaitu minyak masak pun telah meningkat pada zaman Covid.
Ya, kos kehidupan meningkat - JUSTERU perlu skim 'SIMPANAN HARI TUA" atau PENCEN.
Semua pekerja SUMBANG KEPADA PEMBANGUNAN NEGARA - bukan hanya penjawat awam, dan kerajaan perlu sedar tentang tanggungjawab kepada semua rakyat...
Ya, pekerja boleh guna wang sendiri dalam akaun KWSP - TETAPI kerajaan perlu membayar balik dengan cepat....TETAPI SENYAP SAHAJA.
KWSP milik pencarum - dan ioni bukan kali pertama, wang peribadi pekerja disalahgunakan oleh kerajaan. Kali terakhir adalah kononnya menjana ekonomi negara - justeru lahirlah konsep Akaun 1 dan Akaun 2.
Adakah kerajaan ada perancangan bagaimana mahu membantu mereka yang tua, tak cukup makan, minum di masa akan datang - kemungkinan tidak lagi, dan bila rakyat susah...
Kini pun, bilangan orang tak berumah(Homeless) semakin meningkat - yang membantu bukan sangat kerajaan tetapi orang perseorangan dan NGO, yang menyediakan makanan sekurang-kurangnya.
Malaysia juga perlu memulakan skim PENCEN untuk semua - saperti di UK - senang hati kita dengan kepastian setiap bulan akan dapat pencen sehingga meninggal dunia. Jika sakit, harapan adalah perkhidmatan kesihatan percuma...POLISI ASAS KERAJAAN PERLU BERUBAH - GUNAKAN WANG RAKYAT DEMI RAKYAT - IAITU SEMUA RAKYAT.
BILA KERAJAAN AKAN BAYAR KEMBALI WANG YANG DIDAHULUKAN PEKERJA DARI AKAUN KWSP?
Most important for all State Governments to do is the amendment/ creation of laws that will allow the State Legislative Assemblies to be able to sit and function ONLINE -The requirement for mandatory Physical sittings must be amended fast - so that online/virtual sittings/operations are legalized and made possible. Hence, the FIRST thing to be done is the tabling of the needed Bill to amend State Constitutions/Enactments or create needed laws. Unlike Parliament, for States it is easier as there is just ONE house - once passed, after getting the assent of the State Ruler, it becomes law. [In Parliament, it gets the approval of Dewan Rakyat, then the Senate, then the King before it becomes law]. In just a few days, this can happen.
This State law to allow non-physically present functioning of the State Legislative body is CRUCIAL, as Covid-19 can at anytime cause adjournments, and the passing of such priority laws could be done in ONE(1) day - Getting the Ruler's consent and gazetting could be expedited - and thereafter, these Legislative Bodies can function normally Covid or no Covid. Will the State Cabinets/Government do this, or will it simply follow what the Federal Cabinet did?
Another important question is the LEGALITY of the upcoming sittings of these State Legislative Assemblies. Remember after EMERGENCY was proclaimed, Emergency (Essential Powers) Ordinance 2021, vide section 15 ousted the power of State Rulers, and gave that power to the King. This means that ONLY the King can summon the State Legislative Assemblies to sit...not the State Rulers.
15 Sitting of State Legislative Assembly - EMERGENCY (ESSENTIAL POWERS) ORDINANCE 2021
(1) For so long as the emergency is in force—
(a)
the provisions relating to the summoning, proroguing and dissolution of
a State Legislative Assembly in the Eighth Schedule to the Federal
Constitution, Constitution of any State and any State law shall not have
effect; and
(b)a State Legislative Assembly shall be
summoned, prorogued and dissolved on a date as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong
thinks appropriate after consultation with the respective Ruler or the
Yang di-Pertua Negeri.
(2) Any meeting of a State
Legislative Assembly which has been summoned before the coming into
operation of this Ordinance but has not been held is cancelled.
Good
thing about this section, is that it is effective only for so long as
the Emergency is in force, after that the power to SUMMON State
Legislative Assembly returns to the State Rulers( of course acting on
the advice of the State MB/Cabinet). I have previously suggested that we need law amendments to preserve the powers and sovereignty of State Rulers and government - especially when it comes to the Legislative arm of government.
So, the question is whether
the State Legislative Assembly sittings were summoned by the State
Rulers after this Emergency ended on 1/8/2020? If not, was it summoned
by the King while we were under Emergency, an if so, where exactly is
that needed INSTRUMENT of Summoning? Is a consent by the KING sufficient as the Ordinance talks about 'summoning...'
Now, as an example, Penang and Selangor apparently sought the King's consent when we were under Emergency - but the question is whether a 'consent' is enough - should it not have been a summoning for the State Legislative Assembly to sit? During that Emergency, what role of the Sultans or Rulers of States?
What about the other States - did the King summon the sitting of State Assemblies? Did these States even ask? After 1/8/2021, when Emergency ended, then it is sufficient that State Rulers/Sultans summon the sitting of their respective State Assemblies..
Now, the Johor Sultan was reported that he may 'dissolve the state legislature'. If that State Constitution is akin the Federal Constitution, then the power lies with the Menteri Besar/State Cabinet - not the Sultan. The Sultan will have that POWER if the Menteri Besar tenders his resignation, then like the King, he may have the power to dissolve State Legislative Assemble and call for a State Elections, OR simply appoint a new MB who he believes has the confidence of the majority of the State Legislative Assembly Persons(DUNs).
Johor Sultan Ibrahim
Iskandar said on Thursday (Aug 12) that he will not hesitate to dissolve
the state legislature if assemblymen continued to engage in "political
games" and struggle for power.
While we focused maybe too much on MPs and Parliament - let us now see how the various States perform, noting also that many of these States are still governed by the Opposition Parties/ governments? Will they 'shame' the Federal government by putting in place needed laws to allow State Legislative Assemblies to function legally online/virtually when physical attendance is made impossible or difficult like now because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Or will it just be same as what recently happened in Parliament?
REMEMBER, in my opinion restricting the RIGHT of attendance of ALL MPs(or DUNs) is a violation of Malaysian peoples' democratic rights. We saw that if an MP was in Parliament, he/she could speak, intervene and contribute to the proceedings - but what about those not allowed to be present because of LIMITS placed on the number who can be in the Hall? Our MPs represent us, the people, - NOT their political parties in Parliament.
Chief
Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state would use provisions under the
Emergency Ordinance 2021 to submit a humble request to the King. -
STR/DANIAL SAAD
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang government, through the Yang di-Pertua
Negeri, will seek the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan
Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to convene the state
legislative assembly sitting as soon as possible.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state would use provisions
under the Emergency Ordinance 2021 to submit a humble request to the
King.
He said the state would adopt measures and procedures applied during
the state legislative assembly sitting in October last year, which had
proven to be successful in controlling the spread of the Covid-19.
"Based on the state's stand on the matter, I will seek approval from
the Yang di-Pertua Negeri to write to the King on the state's intention
(to convene the state legislative assembly sitting immediately).
"We hope the King will consider our humble request," he said today.
In whatever situation, Chow said, the Penang government or even the
state legislative assembly, would not take any risks and shirk its
responsibility in controlling the spread of Covid-19.
"We will seek the advice from the state Health Department and the
National Security Council (NSC), especially if the spread of the
Covid-19 is still high in the state or the implementation of the
movement restrictions is still needed," he added.
Chow also extended the state's wishes to the King on the need to hold Parliament session as soon as possible.
In this regard, he said it was the state's stand that the same need
arose for the state legislative assembly to convene as the Emergency
Ordinance and the National Recovery Plan also impacted the running of
the state government machinery.
"This is because both Parliament and the state legislative assembly
are important platforms to debate various issues, especially those
related to the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic as well
as matters involving the allocation of expenditure to revive the
country's economy," he said.
It was reported yesterday that the King was of the view that Parliament should sit as soon as possible.
In a statement issued, Comptroller of the Royal Household of Istana
Negara, Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin had said that the King expressed
the opinion after listening to the views of various parties.
"After weighing all views by political leaders, the Special
Independent Committee on Emergency 2021 as well as experts and members
of government agencies, His Majesty has expressed the opinion that the
Parliament sitting must be held as soon as possible.
"This is to enable the Emergency Ordinances and the National Recovery
Plan to be debated by the members of Dewan Rakyat," he was quoted as
saying.
According to Ahmad Fadil, the King had also expressed hope for the
daily number of Covid-19 infections to be reduced soon, adding that the
vaccination process was the "exit strategy" to curb the chain of
infection in the country.- NST, 17/6/2021
The
Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in a letter dated yesterday, has consented to
the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's application for the state legislative
assembly sitting to be held after the Emergency Proclamation is lifted
on Aug 1. - NSTP/SHAFIQ HASHIM
GEORGE
TOWN: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin
Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has consented to Penang holding its state
legislative assembly sitting after the Emergency Ordinance is lifted on
Aug 1.
This follows an application by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak to the King.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said, following the latest development,
the state executive council has proposed for the coming state
legislative assembly sitting to be held on Sept 1.
"The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in a letter dated
yesterday, has consented to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's application for
the state legislative assembly sitting to be held after the Emergency
Proclamation is lifted on Aug 1.
"The Penang government and all the elected representatives expresses
our heartfelt thanks to the Yang di-Pertua Negeri for holding talks with
the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and obtaining approval for the state
legislative assembly sitting," he said today.
Chow said the Penang government will seek advice from the National
Security Council (NSC) and the state Health Department on the Covid-19
standard operating procedures (SOP) to be implemented throughout the
assembly sitting.
It was previously reported that the Penang government, through the
Yang di-Pertua Negeri, would seek the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong to convene the state legislative assembly sitting as soon as
possible.
Chow had said the state would use provisions under the Emergency Ordinance 2021 to submit its request to the King.
He had also said the state would adopt measures and procedures
applied during the state legislative assembly sitting in October last
year, which had proven to be successful in controlling the spread of the
Covid-19. - NST, 8/7/2021
Agong consents to Selangor state assembly sitting — Amiruddin
SHAH
ALAM (July 9): Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin
Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has given his consent to the reconvening of the
Selangor State Legislative Assembly for eight days from Aug 23.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, in a statement today, said
the permission for the state assembly to reconvene was granted by
Al-Sultan Abdullah, through a letter dated July 6 (Tuesday).
Amirudin said the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah,
had also given his consent for the purpose of the first meeting of the
14th Selangor State Legislative Assembly, 2021.
“The Sultan of Selangor has agreed to grace the opening ceremony of the Selangor Darul Ehsan State Assembly on Monday, Aug 23.
He said the Selangor government would like to express its deepest
gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Abdullah and His Royal Highness Sultan
Sharafuddin, who are always concerned about the freedom of democratic
practice in the state.
Amirudin said that once officiated, the state assembly would then sit
for nine days, namely Aug 24 to 27; Aug 30; Sept 1-3 and Sept 6.
He added that the assembly sitting would be held in accordance with
the regular format, with question and answer sessions and debates and
not just a special session.
“This state assembly sitting will be conducted in compliance with the
standard operating procedures and focused on all state government
efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19, as well as feedback and
suggestions from state assemblymen in accordance with the role of the
legislature as a check and balance system to the executive.
“This is also in line with the aspirations of the people so that
every decision of the Selangor government is made responsibly and
prudently and at the same time enhance efforts to face the Covid-19
pandemic in the state,” he said. - Edge Markets, 9/7/2021
Selangor Sultan gives consent for state assembly to convene Aug 23
The
Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has given consent for
the Selangor State Legislative Assembly to convene on Aug 23. - NSTP
file pic.
SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has
given consent for the Selangor State Legislative Assembly to convene on
Aug 23.
Speaker Ng Suee Lim said Sultan Sharafuddin had also agreed to officiate the opening of the meeting on that date.
"I have sent a letter to Sultan Sharafuddin on June 23, suggesting for the opening on Aug 23.
"This matter followed the discussion with Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari," he said when contacted today.
Ng said the first meeting of the 14th Selangor State Legislative Assembly would be held from Aug 23 to Sept 3.
"During the opening, Sultan Sharafuddin will deliver a royal address,
which later will be debated by the assemblymen on the second day of the
meeting," he said.
Ng, however, said it all depends on the outcome of the Emergency Ordinance, currently scheduled to end on Aug 1.
On June 18, Ng issued a statement that the state government planned to open the state assembly in August.
He said several dates were selected for the opening of the meeting to be presented to Sultan Sharafuddin.- NST, 25/6/2021
I will not hesitate to dissolve state assembly, says Johor sultan as he warns against 'political games'
Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar speaking at the Johor state
assembly on Thursday (Aug 12). (Photo: Facebook/Sultan Ibrahim Sultan
Iskandar)
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor Sultan Ibrahim
Iskandar said on Thursday (Aug 12) that he will not hesitate to dissolve
the state legislature if assemblymen continued to engage in "political
games" and struggle for power.
In a statement published on his Facebook page after he spoke at the
opening of the state assembly, the sultan said: "I will not entertain
any political games by assemblymen and risk destabilising my state and
government. If that occurs, then I will not hesitate to dissolve the
state assembly."
“We don’t need politicians to represent the people if all they think
about is themselves and not the interests and welfare of the people,” he
added.
Thursday marked the first sitting of the state legislature since Malaysia imposed a state of emergency back in January.
He also stressed that assemblymen
should use the current session to chart a plan to help the people and
rebuild Johor's economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There is no need to bring up unnecessary motions to the House. Don’t
be selfish. The people are suffering, going hungry, losing their jobs
and some are even fighting for their lives because of COVID-19," said
the sultan.
"This is an august House, not a cage for monkeys. Remember my advice,
Mr Speaker. Do your job well," he was reported as saying by Bernama in
his opening speech.
Johor's first state legislative assembly since Malaysia's state of
emergency was held on Aug 12. (Photo: Facebook/Sultan Ibrahim Sultan
Iskandar)
Malaysia's King Al-Sultan Abdullah
Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah first declared a state of emergency
on Jan 12 to curb the spread of COVID-19. The emergency ended on Aug 1.
Since it was declared, state legislative assemblies have not sat.
The Johor ruler's speech came amid signs of political tension at the
federal level. On Wednesday, local media reported that the king has
asked Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to bring forward a parliamentary
vote of confidence currently scheduled for early September.
In Johor, Kempas state assemblyman Osman Sapian has reportedly called
for chief minister Hasni Mohamad to state whether he supports Mr
Muhyiddin's federal leadership. The chief minister is from the United
Malays National Organisation, where some federal MPs have withdrawn
their support for the prime minister.
Among those present during Thursday's Johor state assembly sitting
was Mr Muhyiddin, who is also the state assemblyman for Gambir.
In June, Sultan Ibrahim gave consent
for the state assembly to reconvene on Aug 12 for politicians to come
up with an action plan to help people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
and a recovery plan for Johor's economy.
Johor is still grappling with a high COVID-19 caseload. On Wednesday,
it reported a record 1,693 cases, the third-highest area behind
Selangor (6,921) and Kuala Lumpur (2,065).
Johor is among the states under phase 1 of the National Recovery
Plan. As of Thursday, just 16.8 per cent of the southern state's
population have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccines.
The state assembly sitting has been adjourned until Aug 22 so that a COVID-19 risk assessment can be carried out. - CNA, 12/8/2021
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