BN senators to support govt bills
> Legislation beneficial to people will not be delayed, says senators council
PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) senators will be told to support all bills passed by the Dewan Rakyat beneficial to the people when Parliament reconvenes on July 16.
Malaysian Senators Council (MSC) president Datuk Seri Khairudin E.S. Abd Samad (pix) said the message would be conveyed to all BN members of the upper house a day before the sitting.
He said he had expressed his view to the Dewan Negara speaker Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran and the council committee members, and they have agreed.
This comes amid worries that BN would hold up bills that are tabled by the newly formed Pakatan Harapan (PH) government by up to a year before they are presented to the King for his royal assent.
The Senate can withhold approval of bills and prevent their passage by returning them to the Dewan Rakyat to seek amendments. While this is not permanent, it could seriously delay PH’s intended legal reforms.
“I have spoken to the Senate speaker and we have both agreed to control our senators and ask that they follow the system of the present government, if it is good for the rakyat,” Khairudin told theSun in an interview.
“If a bill is tabled, for instance the abolition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and BN senators vote in its favour, it does not mean we are betraying the party. We are just doing what’s best for the people.
“If the rakyat does not want GST, then we have to abolish it. As you can see, the people want changes, so we must follow, and we can’t just protect the party.”
Khairudin said agreeing to the bills tabled by the PH is of utmost importance if BN wishes to be a good opposition, adding that unlike the lower house, members of the upper house consist, among others, professionals who understand what is best for the country.
BN has 32 senators in the 70-seat Dewan Negara. PH has only two, while other nonBN and non-PH representatives make up 12, leaving the opposition coalition as the clear majority in the upper house.
However, Khairudin said this would be of little significance as the PH government is expected to make appointments of senators to fill in the 24 vacant seats, once Parliament convenes.
He said this, coupled with the fact that a number of BN senators were also nearing the end of their terms, would allow PH to have the majority sooner rather than later.
“We only have 32. If the remaining 38 are appointed by PH, then they will have the majority. Also, we (BN) have several component parties leaving the coalition now. In no time, the remaining few may also leave.”
Of the 70 senators, 26 are elected by state legislative assemblies, with two senators for each state, while the remaining 44 are appointed by the King, including four representing the Federal Territories, on the advice of the prime minister.