COMMENT | In my earlier article “Is democracy worth saving?”, I argued that democracy remains the only system of government that protects our dignity as citizens, gives us a voice, and allows us to correct the course of our nation peacefully.

But for democracy to endure, it must be held up by a complex architecture of institutions, norms, and values. Without these guardrails, democracy becomes hollow - easily manipulated, vulnerable to strongmen and plutocrats, and prone to decay.

A functioning democracy requires more than ballots every five years. It demands institutional reforms that secure the integrity of our governance.

Institutions must not serve the government of the day; they must serve the nation. Whether it is the Election Commission, the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the police, or the civil service, these bodies must be insulated from partisan influence.

Only when our institutions are impartial can citizens trust the system.

One of the first guardrails is a functioning legislative arm. Parliament must be more than a...