Projek Sama, an institutional reform advocate, has expressed support for the suggestion to implement the Fixed Term Parliament Act (FTPA) made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In a statement on Sunday, Projek Sama commended the proposal and called for the enactment of the FTPA during the upcoming parliamentary session in March. The organization highlighted the FTPA as a promise in Pakatan Harapan’s 15th General Election (GE15) manifesto and as a reform sought by numerous NGOs and individuals in the 2024 new year message.
Projek Sama emphasized that the FTPA would limit the Prime Minister’s authority to seek royal assent for early dissolution of Parliament while leaving the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s powers under Articles 40(2)(b) and 43(4) unaffected. They further explained that the Act would enable the government formed after a general election to function effectively until the end of its term.
The organization urged the Madani government to start public consultation now for the FTPA Bill to be presented and passed in the upcoming parliamentary session. With the FTPA, the Parliament must serve its full term of five years unless certain conditions are met, such as a loss of confidence in the Prime Minister or a resolution by two-thirds or more of Parliament for early dissolution.
Projek Sama also noted that an FTPA could prevent an early election and minimize political adventurism, thereby ensuring an inclusive and stable parliamentary democracy. They highlighted that the Act could also prevent moves to overthrow a sitting government through statutory declarations (SDs).
Additionally, an FTPA would address the exploitation of the Federal Constitution’s silence on the method to ascertain Parliament’s confidence in the government. The organization emphasized the need for any formation or dismissal of the government to happen through open votes in Parliament, where MPs can cast their votes openly, closing gaps without conflicting with or requiring amendments to the Federal Constitution.
Furthermore, Projek Sama stated that an FTPA could prevent government distraction from operations like the alleged “Dubai Move”. They also highlighted fixed electoral calendars as a feature increasingly popular in parliamentary democracies and called for Malaysia to affirm stability and accountability through the implementation of an FTPA.
Ahmad Zahid’s proposal came in response to the alleged “Dubai Move”, where certain Opposition leaders reportedly attempted to buy over enough government MPs to deny the current administration the necessary majority in Parliament to rule. However, top federal Opposition leaders have dismissed these allegations as nonsensical libel.
