KUALA LUMPUR – The government will be seeking public feedback on the introduction of a fixed-term parliament, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The legal affairs division under the Prime Minister’s Department will also be conducting an in-depth study, an impact study and engagement sessions with the relevant stakeholders on a possible bill.
“All the findings will be taken into consideration by the cabinet. Efforts to draw up a fixed-term parliament bill by the unity government are not out of desperation.
“It is a commitment by the administration to respect the election mandate, democratic process and to ensure political stability, amid the geopolitical uncertainties,” she said in a statement.
“A fixed-term parliament will also ensure all reform agendas and policies will be carried out smoothly.”
She added that similar legislation was being practised in other countries, which prevents attempts of a coup to unseat a democratically elected government.
Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Putrajaya should table a fixed-term parliament bill to ensure the elected government stayed in power until the end of its term.
He said this would avoid the government from changing hands three times in a single term, like what took place between 2018 and 2022.
Today, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the idea had been discussed in cabinet but nothing had been decided yet.
“The cabinet has discussed a fixed-term parliament, its needs and what is being practised in other countries. It is still early talks, with nothing specific to be brought to Parliament.
“We’ve had enough of this topsy-turvy (political) environment. We have gone through a lot of changes (in recent years) and experienced the negative effects that came with it. We do not want a repeat of that,” he said. – January 14, 2024