Press Releases

TThe GE15 election date has been announced by the Election Commission today, 20 October 2022. Malaysians will go to the polls on 19 November 2022. In the midst of monsoon worries, with floods and school term still ongoing, the CSO Platform for Reform calls on all Malaysians to cast their votes.We must reject politicians who have been charged with corruption by the court; or are involved with on-going corruption cases. The Member of Parliament plays a big role in ensuring laws and policies are debated well in the Parliament, and its enforcement. We cannot leave the running of the country to politicians who are known to be corrupted. We call on the election candidates’ attention to the following demands:

1. PARLIAMENTARY AND STATE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY REFORM
● Have effective Select Committees at parliament and state levels.
● Transparent and proper process of appointment of Speaker/Deputy Speakers.
● Length of assembly sitting of at least 135-150 days, and the Parliament schedule to be published at the beginning of the year.
● The revival of the research component at parliament and state, and to support all MPs/ADUNs regardless of political affiliation.

2. KEY LAW/POLICIES REFORM
● Abolish/Amend Repressive Laws, and to cease and desist the use of (draconian) oppressive and unjust laws – such as the Sedition Act 1948, detention without trial: Prevention of Crime Act 1959 (POCA), Prevention of Terrorism Act 2015 (POTA), Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (SOSMA),
● Accede to the remaining six core international human rights instruments and their optional protocols, and amend and strengthen the Public Assembly Act (PAA2012).
● In light of high-profile corruption cases in court, we call for the political funding bill to be tabled successfully and gazetted in the next Parliament sitting, to prevent “political donation” which gave rise to corruption among politicians.

3. GOVERNANCE LEADERSHIP REFORM
● The government body must lead by example for the public to gain respect and good practices to ensure there is no misuse of positions as public officials
● Qualified and competent individuals with solid experience and expertise to be considered for lead posts such as Prime Minister, Chief Minister/Menteri Besar, Ministers, with a two-term limit, responsible for their own ministry role, and development of projects nationwide, as well as not holding other portfolio, including GLC posts, other than being the Prime Minister/Chief Minister/Menteri Besar/Minister.


4. INSTITUTIONS REFORM
● Reforms in institutions such as the separation of AG Chamber and Prosecution, reforming the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Malaysian Anti-Corruption, Commission (MACC) - Whistleblower Protection Act, Registrar of Companies Commission of Malaysia (ROC), and Election Commission (EC) - Election system, among them.
● All MPs and ADUNs should not hold any positions in the GLCs. There must be a transparent appointment process for statutory bodies and GLCs, and the appointment of GLC directors should be based on merit: performance and competency, not on cronyism or as rewards for supporting the government of the day. We call on political appointments in GLCs to be abolished.
● CSO Platform wants the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) to be set up to replace the weak Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC), so that the reviewing, drafting and making laws and the related processes can be equitable, modern, fair and efficient.
● In 2013, SUHAKAM made the recommendation to set up an Independent Commission on Land Rights (18th recommendation by SUHAKAM in the 2013 National Inquiry on the Land Rights of Indigenous Peoples) as an oversight on customary rights land matters. This must be done.


With the election machinery running in full gear, institutional reforms work must continue, voters must be aware of their crucial duty to vote, and to vote for the candidates that will represent their constituency to their best abilities. Voters who have reached 18 years old do not have to register to vote as the Automatic Voter Registration has been enforced. Eligible Malaysians may check their voting details at https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my/semakan/daftarPemilih. We love our country. We must elect good people to govern the nation. Keluar Mengundi!

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