GEORGE TOWN: The proposed institutional and parliamentary reforms announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will advance the democratisation process of the country, says Penang MCA in welcoming the move.

       Penang MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng (pic) said such institutional reforms could create a better place for everyone and future generations.

       “A political environment rooted in democracy, progress and justice are values which all Malaysians aspire for," he said.

       On Friday (Sept 10), Ismail Sabri said the Cabinet is committed to undertake several parliamentary reforms, among them tabling a Bill to curb party hopping.

       He said the offer to reform Parliament and the government administration included lowering the voting age to 18, which he pledged to implement as soon as possible.

       Among other reforms the Cabinet agreed on include amending the Constitution to limit a prime minister's tenure to 10 years as well as to ensure equal representation in parliamentary select committees to include backbenchers and Opposition MPs.

       Ismail Sabri also said all Bills tabled in Parliament, including the upcoming Budget, would be negotiated and mutually agreed with the Opposition.

       Tan said such key reforms which the Cabinet has agreed and committed to undertake have been pursued by both the ruling and Opposition parties.

       “This would be conducive for the improvement of our country’s democratic and parliamentary system based on the Federal Constitution.

       “It is a historic shift in institutional reforms undertaken by our Prime Minister and the Cabinet,” he said in a statement Saturday (Sept 11).

       Tan said MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon recently proposed a House of Representatives Recall (HORR) Bill to resolve the problem of party-hopping MPs which has persisted since 2018.

       “We hope the tabling of this Bill will stop the culture of party-hopping so that it does not inflict damage on our democratic elections and destroy political stability.

       “As such, we call upon all ruling and Opposition MPs to cast aside their differences and partisanship and jointly support and realise the reforms.

       “This is so that the reforms will be passed and implemented smoothly.

       “With the everyone united, we can then tackle the Covid-19 pandemic while restoring the economy," he said.