FREE and fair elections are essential to a democratic system of governance. Citizens have the right to choose who they want to govern them, and elections are a way for voters to hold those they elect accountable. Find out more about Malaysia’s electoral system in this exclusive essay.
Dewan Rakyat
Towards an independent Parliament
By Deborah LohIn the first part of his interview last week, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia talked about the speaker’s impartiality and dealing with accusations of bias. In part two, he discusses improvements for Malaysia’s Parliament, and the realities of local parliamentary and political culture. TNG: In line with other advanced parliamentary systems, what […]
In the speaker’s chair: The challenge of impartiality
By Deborah LohA PARLIAMENT unaccustomed to a larger and vibrant opposition bench has proven challenging for Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia. Often, he is the target of criticism alleging his bias towards the executive. In the first part of an interview with The Nut Graph at his office in Parliament on 6 April 2011, […]
Understanding the Dewan Rakyat
By Deborah LohPETALING JAYA, 21 March 2011: How does Parliament work? How well do you know your Members of Parliament (MPs) and what they stand for? And what is the state of democracy in Malaysia? Answers to these questions will soon be out in a new book, Understanding the Dewan Rakyat, by The Nut Graph in collaboration […]
Has Nazri always been “civil to the opposition”?
By Ding Jo-AnnDATUK Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz is being hailed as a hero in some quarters for his “Malaysian first, Malay second” remarks in an open letter responding to Utusan Malaysia’s Awang Selamat. The minister in the prime minister’s department also said that “being civil to the opposition is the right thing to do in a democracy” as they are also elected by the people. But has Nazri always been civil to the opposition?
Dilemma over Batu
By Gan Pei LingConfusion reigns over the status of Batu MP Tian Chua because of a lack of understanding about what the constitution says. Found in Quotation says it all.
RM1K fine of Umno Youth members “not enough”
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 30 June 2009: The proposed RM1,000 fine of Umno Youth members for obstructing DAP Member of Parliament (MP) Karpal Singh from entering Parliament in late February was too lenient, opposition MPs said today. “Now anyone may come to Parliament to hinder the work of MPs, and get slapped with only a fine,” Karpal […]
ISA review includes revising detention period
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 25 June 2009: The Home Ministry may table amendments to the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the next parliamentary sitting that will include a re-examination of the length of detention and the appointment of independent investigators. Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that among others, the ministry would re-examine the ISA’s 60-day detention […]
Motion to sack IGP likely to fail
By Gan Pei LingPETALING JAYA, 18 June 2009: DAP Member of Parliament (MP) for Beruas, Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham, wants to move a motion in Parliament to sack Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan. He is, however, unlikely to succeed. The Perak DAP chief said he has listed down 14 offences committed by the police […]
Tentera Wataniah costs tax payers RM50mil
By Zedeck SiewKUALA LUMPUR, 17 June 2009: There was no cost analysis for the formation of a Tentera Wataniah battalion in all 222 parliamentary constituencies. “There is no cost analysis for the nation’s defence,” Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latif Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat today. “The cost (for the battalion) is not high, because we only pay […]