By Bersih and Ideas
The announcement by Deputy PM Fadillah Yusof that the leadership council of the “unity government” has agreed to channel allocations to the opposition is a positive step in the effort to mature Malaysian democracy.
He also announced a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be formulated as the next step in the negotiation process between the government and the opposition.
This newly announced step is something that has long been urged by various parties, including civil society organisations. This demand is based on the principle of equality for all duly elected MPs and to maintain government stability.
The plan to draft an MoU is positive and presents a good opportunity to formalise a transparent, equitable and fair allocation mechanism. Ideas and Bersih’s research indicate that a constituency development fund system should be legislated through a constituency development fund act. This act encompasses the oversight of the constituency development fund system and the expenses of elected representatives.
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We propose a clear, transparent and fair distribution formula for constituency development funds, taking into account the number of voters in each constituency.
A constituency development funds committee, comprising representatives from both the government and the opposition, should be established to ensure checks and balances in the distribution and management of these funds.
It should be emphasised that an MoU, although necessary now, is not sufficient for the long term. The uncertainty in our political arena demands that all institutional reform initiatives be enshrined in law to bind future governments. Bias in the distribution of allocations is an outdated political practice that needs to be stopped to ensure a more mature, competitive and progressive political landscape.
Therefore, we hope that the drafting of a constituency development funds act in this parliamentary term will be one of the commitments of the government and the opposition in the forthcoming MoU negotiations to end discrimination against any potential opposition parties in the future.
The drafting of this act can also be initiated at the state level, where negotiations between the government and the opposition seem to be more open. – Bersih/Ideas
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
