KUALA LUMPUR – State assemblies nationwide should establish select committees to ensure check and balance measures are implemented, a think-tank said.
According to the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), this recommendation comes in light of the recent state elections held last Saturday, presenting a timely opportunity for state governments to showcase their commitment to robust governance and leadership.
“Select committees add another layer of check and balance and can be a platform for civil society organisations and experts to provide inputs,” Ideas chief executive officer Tricia Yeoh said in a statement today.
“Given the current fluid and dynamic nature of Malaysian politics, all political parties should enact institutional reforms to minimise incumbency advantages.
“Regardless of whichever political party or coalition is in government, opposition representatives must be treated equally with those in government,” she added.
In the case of Terengganu, where Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured all 32 state seats in a clean sweep during the recent polls, Yeoh supported the suggestion by state menteri besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar to introduce a “backbencher system”.
Earlier reports indicated that Samsuri had hinted at the possibility of appointing legislative assembly members who could effectively be the voice of under-represented groups.
Alongside urging all factions of the political spectrum to refocus on the tasks of effective governance, which encompass institutional reforms, policy formulation, and sound governance practices, Yeoh also emphasised the importance of equitable distribution of government funding among all states.
“There must be compromise, cooperation and synergy between both the federal and state governments in the formation and implementation of policies.
“The way forward for a true Malaysian federation is for all states to receive their fair share of allocations and resources, regardless of the coalition that governs the state.”
She also said that the greater electoral contestation in the nation’s politics is a positive sign of a healthy democratic system, with voters now being more willing to transfer their votes to a different party if their preferred party has failed to deliver on promises.
“Preliminary analysis of election results suggests that even though there are some areas where some parties can claim victory, the overall results show that no party can rest on its laurels.” – August 16, 2023