Cross-party caucus outlines key reforms to bolster state legislatures

The Multi-Party Democracy Caucus, comprising assemblymen from PAS, PKR, DAP, Umno, Bersatu and Muda, at the launch of its policy paper.

PETALING JAYA: A cross-party caucus has proposed a series of institutional reforms to strengthen Malaysia’s state legislative assemblies, saying many fall short in terms of transparency, oversight and accountability.

The Multi-Party Democracy Caucus said reforms have progressed at the federal level in recent years, but state legislatures remain constrained by weak institutional mechanisms despite their critical role in scrutinising state governments.

In a policy paper launched today, it recommended establishing stronger and better-resourced select committees within state assemblies to improve oversight of the executive as well as state agencies.

While some state legislatures have expanded their committee systems, it said many committees lack dedicated funding and staff, thus limiting their effectiveness.

It recommended creating portfolio-specific select committees to oversee state executive councillors, as well as committees dedicated to state agencies and government-linked companies.

The caucus, comprising 10 assemblymen across the political divide from five states, is co-chaired by Amanah’s Hafidzah Mustakim (Kota Lama in Kelantan) and PAS’s Andansura Rabu (Beserah, Pahang).

The other members are Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz (Puteri Wangsa, Johor); PKR’s Chan Chun Kuang (Semambu, Pahang), Wong Chai Yi (Simpang Pulai, Perak); Chua Wei Kiat (Rawang, Selangor); Umno’s Salina Samsudin (Behrang, Perak), PAS’s Asilah Zin (Limbongan, Kelantan), DAP’s Rajiv Rishyakaran (Bukit Gasing, Selangor) and Bersatu’s Nurul Syazwani Noh (Permatang, Selangor).

The caucus also called for select committees to include both government and opposition assemblymen, and for the chairman of the state Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to come from the opposition bloc.

This is to ensure that the PAC and other select committees serve as more effective checks and balances on the relevant state government.

To improve transparency, it proposed publishing committee memberships, meeting schedules, reports and minutes online, especially since public access to such information currently varies widely across states.

The caucus said the appointment of committee members should also be made fairer by allowing nominations from political parties, instead of leaving it to the discretion of the menteri besar or chief minister.

It added that state assemblies should sit more frequently to allow adequate scrutiny of legislation, budgets and government administration.

While the average number of state assembly sittings increased from nine days in 2021 to 12 in 2023, this remains significantly lower than the Dewan Rakyat’s 80, it said.

The caucus also recommended formally recognising the position of state opposition leader and providing institutional support and facilities equivalent to those accorded to a state executive councillor.

It also called for reforms to constituency allocations, proposing a legal formula based on the number of voters coupled with mandatory public reporting, to ensure fair and transparent distribution of funds by state governments.