Kit Siang calls for parliamentary reform to include days for Opposition to set agenda 

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang today called on the new government to earmark days where the Opposition will decide the order of business to be discussed in the Dewan Rakyat as part of broader parliamentary reform promised by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Ahead of the 15th Parliament term that officially starts tomorrow, the former federal lawmaker suggested two days be set aside for the Opposition to lead the discussion when the Dewan Rakyat has long sittings, and one day for shorter sittings.

He suggested it be called “Opposition Days”.

“Much is expected of the 15th Parliament in its seven-week meeting,” Lim said in a statement.

“First, there must be Parliamentary reform to enable the Malaysian Parliament to play its full role in the system of government as envisioned in the Malaysian Constitution — the doctrine of separation of powers among the Executive, Parliament and the Judiciary.

“I propose Parliamentary reform to include introducing Opposition Days where the Opposition will decide the Parliamentary business to be transacted,” he added.

Lim said as the Opposition leader has been given ministerial status, there should also be a ministerial statement in Parliament as to why Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin or Marang MP Datuk Seri Abdul Awang Hadi is not the Opposition leader.

The DAP veteran questioned how they could aspire to be the next prime minister if they are not prepared to undertake the responsibilities of an Opposition leader.

Both Muhyiddin and Hadi are presidents of Bersatu and PAS respectively, which are the two main parties in the main Opposition coalition, but have chosen to buck convention by appointing Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to the post instead.

Lim also demanded Hadi explain his accusations against the DAP — portraying it as anti-Malay, anti-Islam, communist, and promoting Islamophobia — in the Dewan Rakyat when Parliament begins.

The former Iskandar Puteri MP said that the accusations against the DAP were serious as it reflected on the government since the party is part of the ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition at the federal level and in three states.

He pointed out that Hadi had been appointed special envoy to the Middle East in the past, but had never reported to the Organisation of Islamic Conference Islamophobia Observatory which conducts a global and daily monitoring of Islamophobia that there is Islamophobia in Malaysia.

“Is Hadi prepared to repeat his allegations against the DAP in Parliament and substantiate his allegations?” he asked.