Azalina submits motion on 'recall elections'

Datuk Azalina Othman Said

3 Sept 2021

By Ilona Andrew

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Azalina Othman Said has submitted a notice of motion to table a Recall Bill to Speaker Datuk Azizan Harun on Wednesday.

She said the motion made under Standing Order 49 (1) which involves the bill for non-government MP is in line with the anti-party hopping initiative which is being undertaken by the present-day government.

This indirectly creates togetherness in line with the spirit of the 'Keluarga Malaysia' by including cross-border cooperation, she added.

‘Recall election’ refers to re-election as practised by several Commonwealth countries.

The Pengerang MP hoped to get consent from the Speaker so that0 the motion could be tabled and discussed.

She also hoped that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar could bring it forward on a ‘fast track’ as was done for the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill 355 in 2015.

“I will also write a letter to all MPs to explain the importance and advantages of this bill in ensuring a fairer election system and integrity to the people's mandate.

“I hope this motion will be the starting point to introduce the mechanism for dismissal of elected representatives or recall elections as an anti-party jumping method in the September parliamentary session," she said in a statement, yesterday.

"Hopefully, the Parliamentary reformation agenda to create political stability and transparent administration will ensure the welfare of the people and the future of the country.".

Previously, she had suggested that recall elections be held to prevent any elected representatives from party-hopping for their own benefit.