PUTRAJAYA: Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has recommended that the incoming prime minister implement six reforms in his administration, including limiting the terms of the prime minister, deputy prime minister as well as chief ministers.

       President Dr Muhammad Mohan said the new prime minister must not just be a person who is reform-minded, but is also willing to make changes for the future of the country and its people.

       Failure to bring changes, he said, would risk the leader being punished in the next general election.

       “We want the government and the incoming prime minister to keep their ears close to the ground and introduce reforms to ensure a bright future for Malaysians, or risk being punished at the election,” he added.

       Muhammad said that TI-Malaysia believes it is important that stability is maintained while the government deals with the pandemic until the next general election.

       The candidate for the top post must be a lawmaker who is bipartisan and ready to unite the people, he added.

       “He should also command the support of the majority of Members of Parliament from both the peninsula as well as Sabah and Sarawak. He should also be free of corruption and criminal charges,” he said.

       Muhammad added that aside from limiting the terms of the three office-bearers, TI-Malaysia also proposed that the Political Financing Bill, Asset Declaration Bill and Independent Police Complaints and Monitoring Commission (IPCMC) Bill be tabled in Parliament.

       “The new prime minister should consider separating the roles of the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor, whereby the latter’s appointment is made in Parliament and his tenure of office is fixed,” he said.

       TI-M also proposed that the appointment of the Chief Commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) also be made through Parliament and that his tenure is fixed as well.

       Muhammad said the independence of the MACC should be strengthened by elevating it to a constitutional body,

       He said a law should also be drawn up to ensure the appointment of key public officers and heads of government-linked companies (GLCs) is transparent.

       “A law should also be in place to prevent any elected representative or their immediate families from holding any of these positions, or from being beneficial owners of companies which are awarded government and GLC contracts,” he said.

       Reforms should also be introduced to prevent power abuse in federal or state machinery as well as law enforcement agencies, he added.