Speaking at a Bar Council forum on “The Importance of a Strong Opposition for a Vibrant Democracy”, Tunku Zain noted that MPs were “too loyal to their party leaders”.
He called for reform of selection of election candidates so that the people in the constituencies, the grassroots, would have greater say about who their candidate should be, not just the party leaders.
Party leaders in Malaysia were too powerful, being able to move candidates here and there. “I think that needs to change”.
Ensuring the independence of MPs was important as they were now beholden to their party leaders, whether in Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional, said Tunku Zain, who is founding president of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs think tank.
Equal allocations for all MPs
Tunku Zain critised the unequal amount of constituency allocations provided between government MPs and those in the opposition, announced this week. He said all MP should have equal access to funds and resources, no matter their party.
The federal government announced that RM500,000 would be provided in an annual allocation to MPs of Pakatan Harapan, and RM100,000 to MPs of Barisan Nasional and PAS. The previous government did not provide opposition MPs any constituency funds.
“What was announced is better than the situation before but it could still be better,” he said. Allocations should be provided from a special parliamentary allocation, not through political parties.
The prime minister has also announced an allocation of RM200,000 for MPs to operate their service centres but did not make clear if the money would be provided to opposition MPs as well.
Among opposition members, Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin praised the government as doing better than the previous government of his own party.
However, Umno Supreme Council member Nazri Aziz was reported to have said that constituency allocations were unnecessary, and that the government itself should be undertaking constituency works, instead of MPs.
Khairy praises PH govt for giving allocations for opposition MPs
Tanjung Bungah DAP rep loses right to RM200,000 annual allocation