Joint Conference | Gearing up for GE-15: What Reforms Do Voters Want

Description

1. The 2018 Election (14th General Election, or GE-14) and subsequent developments have fundamentally changed Malaysian politics from one dominated by a permanent coalition to one characterised by a hung parliament and shifting alliances. The situation also reveals the limitations and weaknesses of our political system in managing a one-coalition predominance as in the past, and the fluid multiparty competition currently taking place.

Before the next election — due latest on 14 Sept 2023 — is called, more reforms should be put in place to ensure the consolidation of democracy to deal with either a return of the one-coalition predominance or another hung parliament. Failing which, the Malaysian people and the economy would suffer if there are no viable and relevant institutional set-up to ensure political stability and accountability.

Day 1: 6 July 2022

0900| Registration and Networking

0930 | Welcome Speech by Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, President, Malaysian Bar

1000 | Session 1 The Prime Minister’s 10-Year Tenure Limit 

This session examines the issues relating to the delayed constitutional amendment to set a 10-year tenure limit on the prime ministership, a reform included in the Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability (“MoU-TPS”), that was scheduled to be passed in the parliamentary session in March 2022. 

Proposed Speakers: 

• YB Fahmi Fadzil, Member of Parliament (“MP”), Lembah Pantai (PKR)
• YB Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, MP, Alor Gajah (Bersatu) 
• YB Wong Shu Qi, MP, Kluang (DAP) 

Moderator: Tasnim Lokman, Editor, Sinar Daily

1130| Session 2 Government Durability and Stability: Introducing Constructive Vote of No Confidence and Fixed-Term Parliament 

This session explores two important mechanisms to promote government durability and stability.  A constructive vote of no confidence requires any motion of no confidence against the sitting Prime Minister to also be a motion of confidence in a new Prime Minister.  This can negate frequent collapses of government when a ready and durable alternative is not available.  A fixed-term parliament mechanism may require a two-thirds majority for early dissolution, hence reducing the frequency of elections and encouraging governments to go full term.

Proposed Speakers: 

• Maha Balakrishnan, parliamentary expert; author of BERSIH’s research papers
• YB Dr Ong Kian Ming, MP, Bangi (DAP)
• YB Baru Bian, MP, Selangau (PSB) 

Moderator: Professor Wong Chin Huat, Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia, Sunway University

1300 | Lunch

1400  | Session 3 Separation of the Offices of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor: Roadmap for Reform

This session studies the importance of separating the Office of the Public Prosecutor from that of the Attorney General (“AG”) to end selective prosecution and to bring about wider reforms to the AG’s Chambers, besides exploring a viable roadmap and timeline for these to happen.

Proposed Speakers: 

• Andrew Yong, lawyer; author of a BERSIH research paper
• Tan Sri Tommy Thomas, lawyer; former AG of Malaysia (2018 to 2020) 
• YB Dato’ Sri Azalina Othman Said, MP, Pengerang (UMNO); former Deputy Speaker, Dewan Rakyat (July 2020 to August 2021) 

Moderator: Dr Abdul Halim Yusof, Deputy Chairperson, BERSIH

1530   | Tea break

1545 |  Session 4 Federal and State Laws for the Equitable Constituency Development Fund (“CDF”)

This session investigates the need for Federal and State laws to ensure all elected representatives get equal or equitable CDF or allocations without any discrimination or partisanship based on party affiliation or executive position.  Discrimination in constituency allocation has long caused and has been used as a justification for party-hopping.  While equal CDF is now provided to both Government and Opposition MPs, as laid out under the MoU-TPS, this practice can be undone at any time if not legally entrenched.

Proposed Speakers: 

• Dr Tricia Yeoh, CEO, IDEAS (Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs)
• YB Anthony Loke, MP, Seremban (DAP)
• YB Dato’ Mohd Imran Tamrin, State Assembly Representative (Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri, “ADUN”), Sungai Panjang (UMNO)

Moderator: Ngeow Chow Ying, Treasurer, BERSIH

Day 2: 7 July 2022

0900  | Session 5 GE15: Participation and Accountability

This session discusses two pertinent issues for the conduct of the 15th General Election (“GE15”) and the legitimacy of the next Government.  The first is the expansion of absentee voting for civilian voters out of their regions — Sabah, Sarawak, and the Peninsula — to help raise turnout, which had registered a record low of 55% in Johore State Election in March 2022.  The second is the need for a Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Electoral Matters, which provides legislative oversight of the Election Commission in its preparation of GE15.

Proposed Speakers: 

• Thomas Fann, Chairperson, BERSIH
• Ben Suffian, Co-Founder and Programme Director, Merdeka Center
• Zila Fawzi, Chief of Operations, WISDOM Foundation

Moderator: Ooi Kok Hin, Research Manager, The Centre

1030  | Session 6: Parliamentary Special Select Committees (“PSSC”): Scopes, Membership and Powers 

This session deliberates on reforms of PSSCs, from their coverage of subject matters, membership, to powers including procedural constraints. 

Proposed Speakers: 

• YB Kelvin Yii, Chairman, PSSC on Health, Science and Innovation; MP, Bandar Kuching (DAP)
• YB Datuk Seri Panglima Hajah Azizah bt Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Mohd Dun, Chairman, PSSC on Fundamental Liberty and Constitutional Rights; MP, Beaufort (Bersatu)
• Dr Muhammad Sayuti Hassan, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Moderator: Maha Balakrishnan, parliamentary expert; author of BERSIH’s research papers

1200 pm  | Lunch

1300  | Session 7 Parliamentary Services Act: Benefits for the Public?

This session inspects the need to revive the Parliamentary Services Act, scheduled to be tabled in the July 2022 parliamentary session under the MoU-TPS, and how its revival may change the quality of parliamentary debates, laws, and policies, to benefit the public.  

Proposed Speakers:

• YB Wong Chen, MP, Subang (PKR)
• Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad, former Chairman, Public Accounts Committee; former MP, Johor Bahru (UMNO)
• Idzuafi Hadi Kamilan, Executive Director, Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (“REFORM”)

Moderator: Aira Azhari, Senior Manager, Democracy and Governance Unit, IDEAS

1430 pm  | Tea break

1445 pm |  Session 8 Speaker, Deputy Speakers and Standing Orders: Key Reforms for an Independent and Functioning Parliament 

This session covers the powers and election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, the proposal of a third Deputy Speaker from the Opposition bench, as well as necessary reforms to Standing Orders, of which the latter was supposed to be implemented immediately, as stated under the MoU-TPS. 

Proposed Speakers:

• Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff b Md Yusoff, lawyer; former Speaker, Dewan Rakyat (July 2018 to July 2020) 
• YB Hannah Yeoh, MP, Segambut (DAP)
• Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Dahlan, former MP, Kota Belud (UMNO)

Moderator: Professor Wong Chin Huat, Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia, Sunway University

1615 pm | Plenary Session: “What’s Next from Here?”

This plenary session will critically assess the viability and priorities of possible reforms to be commenced, if not completed, before GE15.

Proposed Speakers:

• YB Teo Nie Ching, MP, Kulai (DAP)
• Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman Dahlan, former MP, Kota Belud (UMNO)
• Karen Cheah Yee Lynn, President, Malaysian Bar

Moderator: Thomas Fann, Chairperson, BERSIH Concluding Remarks by Thomas Fann, Chairperson, BERSIH