APPG meets to discuss key institutional reform proposals

SHAH ALAM - The All Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia—Integrity, Governance, and Anti-Corruption (APPG) has made history by participating in the Special Parliamentary Select Committee (PSSC) meeting on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform.

The meeting, which was held on October 26 and November 9 this year, was chaired by Ledang Member of Parliament Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh and discussed two of the four key institutional reform proposals involving MPCPG-IGAC, namely the separation of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor powers and the enactment of the Political Financing Act.

This marks a positive development in the implementation of institutional and legislative reforms in the country, APPG shared in a statement.

In addition to government and opposition parliamentarians, experts from various groups provided input based on research, expertise, and experience as a step towards researching the implementation of legislative models suitable in the Malaysian context.

Recommendations based on current challenges and proposed amendments to legal provisions, i.e., the Federal Constitution and other acts, were also discussed.

APPG took the opportunity to state its position and provide views on key principles to ensure a comprehensive understanding before the related reforms are finalised.

Rasuah Busters Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Nurhayati Nordin also shared that APPG also stressed the importance of adhering to a well-defined timeline to ensure the expeditious, systematic, and effective implementation of the proposed changes.

"We trust that continuous inclusive engagement of civil society in the policymaking process, facilitated by both Parliament and policymakers, will not only bolster public trust but also establish an effective two-way communication platform, fostering solutions for the holistic well-being of the people,Nurhayati said in the statement.

Parliamentarians from all sides of the divide, namely Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Jerantut MP Khairil Nizam Khirudin, Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, Batang Sadong MP Rodiah Sapiee, Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermiyati Samsudin, and Shah Alam MP Azli Yusof, as members of the APPG, have articulated their stand in Parliament on the critical significance of expediting these reforms in order to rectify weaknesses in the current system and to enhance Malaysia's credibility as a progressive, accountable, and corruption-free nation.

As the Secretariat to the APPG, #RasuahBusters hopes that other reform proposals related to MACC,Parliamentary reforms, the enactment of procurement laws, amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act, and amendments to the Judicial Appointments Commission Act are prioritised.