Bersih proposes confidence and supply deal amid political uncertainty
NGO Bersih has proposed a confidence and supply agreement between the government and the opposition.
It said this is so all MPs can play a meaningful role, particularly the fight against Covid-19 and efforts to revive an economy damaged by the pandemic.
"We call on all parties to put aside their politicking and prioritise the handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
"They should come together to have a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) where they agree to support the government in exchange for key reforms that would give the opposition and all MPs a meaningful role to play...
NGO Bersih has proposed a confidence and supply agreement between the government and the opposition.
It said this is so all MPs can play a meaningful role, particularly in the fight against Covid-19 and efforts to revive an economy damaged by the pandemic.
"We call on all parties to put aside their politicking and prioritise the handling of the Covid-19 crisis.
"They should come together to have a confidence and supply agreement (CSA) where they agree to support the government in exchange for key reforms that would give the opposition and all MPs a meaningful role to play in Parliament through the parliamentary select committees (PSC), especially in the management of the vaccination programme and the recovery of the economy," it said in a statement.
This is as the Conference of Rulers meet today to guide the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the country's direction ahead of the emergency expiry in August.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government has grappled with an uncertain majority but it was temporarily put on pause when an emergency was imposed in January.
The emergency was purportedly to combat Covid-19 but it also prevented Parliament from reconvening, staving off any challenge to Muhyiddin's majority.
However, the political uncertainty is expected to return after the emergency is lifted.
The government has maintained that Parliament should not convene during the pandemic, purportedly on safety concerns.
However, Bersih reiterated that this has not stopped Parliament in other countries from convening.
"Bersih maintains that Parliament can function despite the Covid-19 pandemic and should not have been suspended in the first place.
"We only have to look at the examples of UK, Australia, US, Singapore, and almost all democracies around the world that have adapted to the challenges and allowed their Parliaments to function either virtually or in a hybrid manner," it said.
Amid the criticism, the government has outlined a recovery plan timeline where Parliament is expected to be allowed to reconvene in September.
However, Bersih rejected this and called for the legislature to be restored immediately.
"Bersih objects to the condition set by the prime minister that he would only be reconvening Parliament once Covid-19 cases are 'under control and when we almost achieve herd immunity status'.
"To rely on daily Covid-19 cases is unreliable as it can be manipulated through the number of testings done each day," the group said.
Under the National Recovery Plan, the reopening of Parliament is expected to happen by September if the daily average Covid-19 cases dip under 2,000 and at least 40 percent of the population is vaccinated.
It added that during a time of crisis, all branches of government must be allowed to play their roles.
"The MPs represent the voices of the people and the suspension of Parliament has silenced the people," it said.
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