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Sabah speaker: Separation of powers key to reform
Published:  May 29, 2015 1:53 PM
Updated: 8:26 AM

The independence of the executive, Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara, monarchy, and judiciary are key reforms needed in this country, Sabah state legislative assembly speaker Salleh Said Keruak says.

"Short of that, it will be mere talk with no results in the end," Salleh wrote on his blog today.

Salleh ( photo ), who was once Sabah chief minister, said the executive would report to the Dewan Rakyat, which would pass laws. But these laws need to be vetted by the Dewan Negara.

Once a bill is passed through Parliament, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong will then scrutinise the law and have the right to send it back to Parliament if necessary.

"So, as you can see, we have many levels of checks and balances to prevent a dictator from taking over the country.

"Unfortunately, back in the late 1980s, all this changed. So when we talk about reforms, we need to know what we are talking about," said Salleh.

Pandikar wants reforms

Although it is not clear why he made this post, it was likely to be in reference to Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia's complaints on Parliament's lack of independence.

Pandikar, who is also from Sabah, had tendered his resignation as speaker to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak several weeks ago. Najib rejected his resignation and promised to look into the problems.

Among others, Pandikar had complained that the people held the perception that the speaker takes orders from the executive.

This was because the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim oversees parliamentary affairs. Pandikar wants this position abolished.

Pandikar also called for a Parliamentary Bill Committee to scrutinise bills before they are presented for debate - a process which is the practice in most modern democracies.

These and other suggestions were made during the House Committee meeting recently.

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