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THE Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has applauded the inclusion of pro-democracy reforms in GE15 election manifestos by the four major coalitions – Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA).
Although not as comprehensive as Bersih would have liked, a game-changer – according to Bersih – is the promise to empower Parliament to vet major public office appointments such as the attorney-general, inspector-general of police, chief justice, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief, and Bank Negara governor.
It is mind-boggling that Parliament should vet the appointment of the chief justice, the head of the judiciary.
The judiciary is one of the three main branches of government.
The federal constitution creates three main branches of government:
1. The legislature (Parliament) makes laws.
2. The executive (government) governs the country according to the laws.
3. The judiciary (courts) decides what the laws mean and can order people and the government to follow the laws.
The power to govern the country is divided between the three branches. Under the concept of separation of powers, no one branch has absolute power.
The separation of powers puts in place a system of checks and balances, with each branch acting as a check over the other branches.
This in turn ensures that each branch acts in accordance with its accorded powers and does not abuse them.
The judiciary is often perceived as the weakest branch of government. Leave the judiciary alone. That’s what strengthens the concept of separation of powers, particularly in the country. – The Vibes, November 13, 2022
Hafiz Hassan reads The Vibes