LETTER | What is Perikatan Nasional up to?

LETTER | Seriously, I think Malaysia can’t continue with its present trend of trying to appease all government Member of Parliament (MPs) by appointing them to executive positions in the government.

We shouldn’t be arguing that all MPs are “qualified” to fill up the executive positions in the government; neither should we argue that the government of the day can afford to pay these MPs holding additional posts. This is not about qualifications and affordability.

This is about adhering to the fundamental principles of our system of government where the government is made up of three branches with each providing oversights and checks and balances on the others.

The legislature (i.e. the MPs) has an important role to play to keep the executive branch on its toes. It is the job of the backbenchers to suggest policies, criticise and evaluate the performance of the government.

Right now, one-third of the MPs are already on the frontbench holding ministerial and deputy ministerial positions. Their functions and responsibilities include the performance of GLCs and other government agencies under their respective portfolios.

If MPs are also heads of GLCs and other government agencies, may I know how the ministers and deputy ministers are able to play their role to supervise them?

How could ministers issue orders or criticise the performance of GLCs or government agencies when his fellow MPs are heading those organisations?

Similarly, how could government MPs reprimand or criticise the performance of the government when they are now part of the executive branch responsible for that performance?

Under the Westminster model, the executive branch of the government is already pre-eminent and relatively more powerful than other branches. By expanding the executive branch, the government is making it even more powerful.

I think this is not tenable. This will make the government like a runaway train, totally unaccountable to anyone, not even to their own MPs.

Why do we need parliamentary sitting then from now on? Just appoint every government MP a minister, a deputy minister or as a head of a GLC. 

Voila, everything will be in order.    

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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