Don’t abolish appointed reps’ posts, just trim them, PH told

Pakatan Harapan should work towards reducing the number of appointed assemblymen, rather than abolishing the seats altogether, a political analyst says.

Tawfik Yaakub of Universiti Malaya said PH should not dismiss the benefits of such a post, adding that it gave the likes of technocrats, women and minorities a “voice” in the state assembly.

“We shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The provision should be reviewed and improved,” he told FMT.

Yesterday, PH said it would repeal the provision allowing the appointment of up to seven nominated assemblymen in Melaka if it wins the state election on Saturday.

Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said the savings from the move would be channelled towards housing assistance and youth entrepreneurship development.

The Melaka state assembly approved a constitutional amendment in July allowing the appointment of up to seven unelected assemblymen, prompting PH to withdraw from the state government.

Tawfik said the savings made from scrapping the appointed assemblymen’s posts were not that significant when compared to Melaka’s overall budget. Besides, filling all seven spots was not compulsory.

He also pointed out that senators were appointed at the federal level.

“If PH believes appointed representatives serve little purpose, it should push to abolish the appointment of senators,” he said,

Tawfik also suggested that the criteria to appoint assemblymen be made more stringent by a bipartisan committee.

Separately, constitutional expert Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod said the issue could be viewed from two different angles – political interests, and prudent use of public funds.

Nik Ahmad Kamal, a National Professors Council fellow, said that from a political perspective, appointed assemblymen could help boost the state government’s majority as they could vote on bills.

He agreed that appointing technocrats, NGO representatives, and minorities like the Orang Asli as assemblymen was a good practice that helped strengthen checks and balances.

“It begs the question, are the current crop of assemblymen unable to represent the minorities and professionals effectively? If they are not effective, maybe there is a need to appoint assemblymen.

“But if the current current representatives are effective, then appointed assemblymen are meaningless and a waste of public funds,” he said.

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