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THE Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) welcomes the announcement by Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of his cabinet line-up last night.
It is reflective of the composition of his “unity government” and yet keeping to his election promise to reduce the size of the cabinet.
However, we are dismayed that Anwar has appointed himself to helm the important finance portfolio, which weakens the check and balance that is necessary to ensure that we do not return to the days of Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s administration where the appointment of PM as finance minister almost bankrupted our country through the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scheme.
We are also disappointed that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who still has 47 ongoing corruption charges, has been appointed as the deputy PM and rural development minister. Though we understand the politics behind his appointment, we regret that principles took a back seat.
Both these questionable appointments threaten to undermine Anwar’s commitment to fight corruption.
To cement his credentials as a reformist, Anwar has to double-down efforts to fulfil PH's election manifesto promises to fight corruption and strengthen the integrity of our key institutions.
Anwar and the new cabinet must immediately prioritise the following three actions to remove any doubts of interference in court cases and conflict of interest:
1. Make the solicitor-general assume the role of public prosecutor with immediate effect until necessary constitutional amendments are made to remove the role from that of the attorney-general.
2. Promote political stability and parliamentary oversight by giving meaningful roles to the opposition and government backbenchers in shadow cabinet and parliamentary special select committees (PSSCs), with commensurate salary, policy research support and access to government information for shadow ministers, as well as PSSC chairs and deputy chairs – further enhanced by enactment of a new Parliamentary Services Act and establishment of Parliamentary Budget Office.
3. Reform the process to appoint and remove key public officers such as the heads of Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Election Commission and Suhakam. The process should grant more independence from the executive and include meaningful roles for the Parliament, civil society and other stakeholders.
Bersih also welcomes the appointment of Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said as law minister. We hope that she will drive the reforms promised in both Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional manifestos – continuing with many of the reforms started by some of her predecessors such as the late Datuk V.K. Liew and Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
We are also pleased that Azalina is among five women appointed to lead key ministries such as education, health, youth and sports, and women and family. While this cabinet has the highest representation of women as ministers, it is still far from a gender-balanced cabinet.
With the formation of the new cabinet, the task of governing and serving the rakyat begins. It is our hope and the hope of the rakyat that there will be political stability and that this administration would be given the opportunity to govern full term – also for all parties, including the opposition, would play constructive roles in nation-building.
As a member of civil society, Bersih will continue to be a nonpartisan voice and would continue to push for reforms that would strengthen our democracy. – The Vibes, December 3, 2022
Bersih is a non-governmental coalition campaigning for free and fair elections in Malaysia