KUCHING: It is the ardent hope of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar that the proposed Bills to amend the Federal Constitution will get the needed support from MPs.
He said by doing so, the amendments would be able to provide reforms to fortify the nation’s democratic system.
“I hope the majority of parliamentarians will be able to help amend the Federal Constitution to provide reforms in strengthening Malaysia’s democracy as well as to inject new life into the country’s politics,” he said on Thursday (Oct 7).
Earlier, the Federal Minister attended a briefing session on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 together with other MPs.
Wan Junaidi said to ensure a parliament reform and transformation is possible, the Bills require the support of two-thirds of the House members.
“For this reason, I am actively attending engagement sessions with MPs so that they can choose the issues that arise in more depth, before it is officially tabled (in Parliament) at the end of next month,” he said.
On Wednesday, the Santubong MP said a Bill to amend the Federal Constitution to bring relevant provisions in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would be tabled in Parliament this month.
He hoped that the first reading of the Bill would take place on October 26, followed by the second reading on October 28.
“While the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) is reviewing the legal provisions, the ministry has already started its engagement exercise to explain matters to key stakeholders, including members of Parliament, Sabah and Sarawak leaders as well as the attorney generals in the two states,” he said in a statement.
Last month, Wan Junaidi said an anti-hopping law was required to enhance political stability, public confidence in the democratic process as well as to ensure respect for the decision made by the electorates.
He said limiting the Prime Minister’s term to not more than 10 years was another important reform as it would provide reassurance to the people that no one person can stay in office for too long, as well as reducing the possibility of corruption and other malpractices like nepotism and cronyism.
