By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Aug 13: A Constitutional Amendment Bill to limit the term of office of the Prime Minister to two terms and an Anti-Party Jumping Bill will be tabled in Parliament, if the motion of confidence vote is passed.
This was one of the proposals made by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a televised press conference earlier today in hopes to secure bipartisan support in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara in excess for a two-thirds majority.
He also put forward the proposal that all Members of Parliament (MPs) will receive the same annual allocation regardless of political party and for the opposition MPs, the allocation for this year will be made on a pro rata basis according to the number of months remaining.
To strengthen parliamentary reform, he suggested to create a more balanced Parliamentary Select Committee by ensuring an equal number of government and opposition MPs.
“The number of Parliamentary Select Committees can also be increased to ensure that all MPs can play a more effective check and balance role through their involvement in these committees.
“In recognition of the check and balance role in Parliament, 50 per cent of the Select Committee will be chaired by Government MPs and another 50 per cent by opposition MPs,” he said.
In line with the expected increased workload in implementing a more effective check and balance function, Muhyiddin said the government will provide support staff and reasonable remuneration to all Parliamentary Select Committee Chairmen.
With the proposals laid down, he invited all political party leaders to discuss them next week, where official invitations will be sent out.
“If the proposal for bipartisan cooperation is agreed on, I will convene a special session of the Dewan Rakyat to table a motion of confidence to the Prime Minister in the near future,” he added. — DayakDaily
