Inter-party caucus launched, PAS and Amanah reps co-chair

Summary

• State-level Inter-Party Caucus on Democracy launched, co-chaired by PAS and Amanah reps.

• Caucus focuses on political financing, constituency funds, and strengthening checks and balances.

• Caucus aims to bring federal-level democratic discussions to the state and grassroots levels.

State assemblypersons across six parties from five states have come together as a caucus with a focus on democratising issues surrounding institutional reforms.

Bersih and think-tank Ideas facilitated the state-level Inter-Party Caucus on Democracy, co-chaired by PAS’ Beserah assemblyperson Andansura Rabu and Amanah’s Kota Lama representative Dr Hafidzah Mustakim.

Speaking at the caucus’ official launch in Kuala Lumpur today, Andansura and Hafidzah underscored three focus areas - political financing, constituency development fund, and strengthening checks and balances at the state level.

They identified the issues as among topics of discussion in parliament, but often neglected by state assemblies, despite direct impacts to people on the ground.

“This is a step we take to strengthen and refine democratic practices in the country.

“We bring it to the state-level so it can be felt right down to the grassroots,” said Andansura.

Echoing the views, Hafidzah said the caucus was established to promote fairer political competition and more transparent governance at the state level.

“Previously, there has been a lot of discussion at the federal level on institutional reform and improving democratic governance.

“So, we feel it is time to bring this to the state level so that our aspirations for a stronger democracy can be felt at the grassroots,” said Hafidzah, Harapan’s sole elected representative in PAS-led Kelantan.

The 45-seat Kelantan state assembly comprise two other Umno assemblypersons on the opposition bench, while PAS and Bersatu formed the state government under Menteri Besar Nassuruddin Daud.

Constituency funds

On the issue of constituency development funds, a heated topic of discussion among federal opposition MPs, Andansura expressed hope that the caucus would carefully examine issues related to allocations for state assemblypersons to ensure fairness in the matter.

“We will hold discussions by looking at practices in each state. The allocations given to assemblypersons vary depending on their responsibilities and the discretion of each menteri besar, so they are not the same.

“This is what we will investigate further to ensure fairness for all,” he said.

Other members of the caucus include Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (Muda-Puteri Wangsa), Rajiv Rishyakaran (DAP-Bukit Gasing), Wong Chai Yi (PKR-Simpang Pulai), Chan Chun Kuang (PKR-Semambu), Asilan Zin (PAS-Limbongan), Chua Wei Kiat (PKR-Rawang), and the late Ishsam Shahruddin (Umno-Ayer Kuning), who will be replaced by another Umno representative.

Aside from the elected representatives, the caucus also involves three civil society groups, namely Agora Society, Bait Al-Amanah, and Reform.

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