Penang Gerakan has proposed that elected seats automatically become vacant when the representative quits his or her party, to ensure that the right to choose a government remains in the hands of the voters.

A vacant seat would mean that a by-election should be held to determine who is the next elected representative.

The party’s state legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh told the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reform hearing in Penang today that this would ensure political stability after the the election.

“This would also ensure that there would be no seizing of power of a federal or state government,” Baljit said at the second day of the event, chaired by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Maximus Ongkili.

‘1 Malaysia, 1 GE'

This was in reference to the situation in Perak in 2009, where three representatives  - two from PKR and one from DAP - quit their parties, resulting in a chaotic political situation which eventually led to the Barisan Nasional taking over the state from Pakatan Rakyat.

NONE Baljit ( left ) was accompanied by state Gerakan vice-chief Dr Lim Boon Han; publicity, information and communications bureau chief Dr Thor Teong Ghee and a representative from the legal and human rights bureau, Ong Tun Heang.

Besides Ongkili, four other MPs who are members of the PSC - P Kamalanathan (Hulu Selangor), Mohamed Azmin Ali (Gombak), Loke Siew Fook (Rasah) and Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju) - also attended the two-day hearing.

Penang Gerakan presented four other recommendations, including fixing the date of the polls, which it described as “1 Malaysia, 1 GE”, for the federal and state as well as the Sabah and Sarawak governments.

“This would reduce politicking where the government can fully focus on running the country to avoid uncertainties,” Baljit told the committee.

Other than the use of indelible ink during voting, the lawyer also suggested automatic registration for voters above 21 years of age and automatic deletion for deaths, but this should be done in cooperation with the National Registration Department.

Recommend RCI on gerrymandering, PSC urged

Meanwhile, social activist Ng Eng Kiat urged the PSC to recommend that a royal commission of inquiry be called on the issue of gerrymandering and mal-apportionment of constituencies.

journalism training 260506 ng eng kiat “Over the many elections in Malaysia’s history, there has been sufficient data to show that the disparity between the popular vote and the number of seats won has allowed the ruling party control of Parliament,” said Ng ( right ), who represented his recommendations as an individual.

“The time for more proportionate representation is now. I wish the committee the best in its quest to bring progressive changes to Malaysian democracy,” added Ng, who works for the office of Penang state executive councillor Chow Kon Yeow.