Saifuddin: Reforms to be made in Parliament soon

KUANTAN: The new Parliament session will see a number of reforms being carried out, says Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

The Pakatan Harapan chief secretariat said among the reforms was the formation of parliamentary committees that would function outside Cabinet portfolios.

“For the first time, we will also see the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) headed by the Opposition leader or an Opposition MP. This has never been done before,” he said when met at the Indera Mahkota Pakatan’s Hari Raya open house yesterday.

Saifuddin, who is the Indera Mahkota MP, said such reforms should also serve as an example for Barisan Nasional state governments.

“Pakatan has pushed for these reforms before.

“The Selangor government offered its PAC chairmanship to the assembly’s Opposition leader but it was rejected at that time,” he said.

Saifuddin said the Pakatan government was also on track to fulfil 10 election pledges within 100 days of coming into power.

He said the Goods and Services Tax had been abolished and petrol prices had been stabilised while the process had started for the implementation of the Employees Provident Fund contribution for housewives scheme.

“The 100 days are a transitional period towards democratisation.

“We have always been known as a multiracial, multireligious, moderate, peaceful and stable society.

“After this, I hope Malaysians will also take pride in being a democratic society,” he said.

On another matter, Saifuddin said the list of the remaining Cabinet ministers was expected to be announced sometime this week.

When asked whether it was true he had been selected as Foreign Minister, Saifuddin was noncommittal.

“I heard the list has been finalised and submitted to the Yang diPertuan Agong.

“We have to wait for the announcement,” he said.

According to reports, the names of candidates for minister and deputy minister posts had been submitted to the King.