KUALA LUMPUR: A revamp of Parliament, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), a two-term limit for the prime minister's post and anti-party hopping law are among the items Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar is hoping to focus on during his term as minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law).
The Santubong member parliament, who will clock in for his first day in office today, said he was intrigued by these matters and would hold a discussion with the speakers of Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
"As the executive (government), I can't unilaterally make a change in Parliament.
"For that reason, I must discuss with the two speakers (regarding these matters).
"This is to allow changes made to Parliament to be in line with the Commonwealth Parliament as we adopt the Westminster model (of government)," he told Berita Harian.
Wan Junaidi had helmed the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry (2015-2018) and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative Ministry (2020-2021).
He has been an MP since 1990 and has held the positions of deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and deputy home minister (2013-2015).
On the MA63 issue, Wan Junaidi said he would ensure the participation of various quarters in explaining the efforts to protect the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
Based on his observations in forums on MA63, he said many people had an inaccurate stance on what transpired during the drawing up of the agreement.
He said the public must learn about the erosion (of constitutional safeguards, and Sabah's and Sarawak's special position and rights) done by the federal government based on the agreement since 1964.
"This must be clarified as it is unfair to say that what had been agreed upon in 1963 has yet to be realised.
"This is a huge agenda, but at the same time, I must not turn my back on the cabinet and must accept the joint responsibility."
He said he would discuss the matter with the prime minister before making any further commitments.
On the two-term limit for the prime minister and anti-party hopping law, he would hold talks with all parties, including MPs, because these would involve an amendment to the Constitution, which requires a two-thirds majority.
He said the offers by former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to the opposition before the latter's resignation would be reviewed.
"To me, 10 years (two terms) is enough to leave a legacy. If the United States can limit the president's tenure to just two terms and the Philippines limits it to a single term, why can't we do the same?
"An anti-party hopping law is important. I welcomed such a proposal after Barisan Nasional lost the 2018 General Election. If there is a new offer made, I hope the opposition will not turn it down as that is not an honourable trait of an administration."