Dap Man Opposes Umno S Proposal For Appointment Of State Reps

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Kota Laksamana incumbent assemblyperson Low Chee Leong has opposed BN’s suggestion to appoint five assemblypersons into the Malacca state legislative assembly.
This is after BN's and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi pledged to do so for the sake of political stability if the coalition wins two-thirds of the 28 state seats in the forthcoming Malacca election.
The amendment of the state constitution would be required to allow for such appointments.
For political stability, Low (above) told Malaysiakini that the anti-hopping law, which would prevent elected representatives from jumping ship after elections, is much more needed, instead of the appointment of state lawmakers.
For example, the DAP leader said, the Sabah state government had been toppled after elected representatives retracted their support for the chief minister last July, despite having five nominated representatives.
“Umno's proposal is putting the cart before the horse. We should introduce the anti-hopping law after the state poll and amend the State Constitution to stop the assemblypersons from party hopping,” Low opined.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
He also expressed his worry that Zahid’s proposal would provide for candidates who failed to garner support from the people to be appointed to the state assembly or even into the state government, thereby participating in decision-making in the state.
“Appointment of the state assemblypersons will only benefit the ruling party by making it easier to pass bills or motions in the state legislature, which will then suppress the dissent and the voice of the people.
“I strongly oppose Umno’s proposal, which will violate the spirit of democracy and the state constitution and was merely made to consolidate their political power.
“It will not bring any benefit to the people but only to the ruling party,” Low added.
The Malacca state election was triggered after four state representatives withdrew their support for the government under outgoing chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali.
The Election Commission has set Nov 8 for nomination and polling will be on Nov 20.
There are only three states - Sabah, Terengganu and Pahang - that allow the state government to appoint representatives into the legislatures. The powers of the nominated representatives vary from state to state.
In Pahang, an appointed representative is not allowed to serve as menteri besar or as a state executive councillor.
Last November, Pahang became the latest state to amend its constitution to allow up to five people to become state legislators by appointment instead of being voted into office. - Mkini

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