KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to enact the Fixed-Term Parliamentary Act (FTPA) could be carried out if the government is stable and no constant change occurs in the administration.
Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman said this was as any proposal to amend existing legislation or to enact a new legislation takes time as it involves various ministries across all levels of government.
"The Madani government under the leadership of the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) is not shying away from responsibilities. However, such matter takes time.
"The question asked by Jelutong (RSN Rayer) is tied to this matter. If the government is stable, everything that we say (on proposal) can be done.
"(However,) it cannot be implemented if the government keeps changing," she said during the ministry's winding-up speech on royal address debate in Dewan Rakyat, today.
Azalina said this when interjected by Rayer on whether the government has any plans to enact FTPA as suggested by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahidi in January, this year.
Earlier, Azalina also explained that there was much management involvement between ministerial agencies to ensure that the amendment or enactment of legislation could be carried out.
She added that the Prime Minister's Department alone has 83 agencies, followed by Finance Ministry (72), Transport Ministry (18), Agriculture and Food Ministry (17), Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (13), Rural and Regional Development Ministry (11), Works Ministry (6), Economy Ministry (5), Defence Ministry (3) and Foreign Affairs Ministry (2).
At the same time, she also mentioned that unlike Western countries which practice the Westminster system, Malaysia practices the constitutional monarchy system which explicitly explains the procedures for parliament dissolution.
The Westminster system, she said, was a major reason why fixed-term laws were needed in Western countries as they lack an unwritten constitution (uncodified constitution).
"Their system is somewhat different from ours as we practice constitutional monarchy, which means we have a written constitution.
"However, some Western countries like England require fixed-term laws as their constitution is unwritten, whereas we have a written constitution that states the procedures for parliament dissolution.
"(And) this (the enactment of FTPA) must be brought up as it is a political discourse and political statement from political parties. Is this the direction desired by the political parties in our country?
"We are also not a communist government where all lawmakers must agree (to certain enactment), we allow them to express their views regardless of the government, opposition or independent bloc."
In January, Zahid suggested that a bill be drafted to ensure that the government completes its five-year term.
He said this was to prevent political instability and any attempt to topple a ruling government before its term ended.