05/03/2026

THURSDAY | MAR 5, 2026

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‘Make attendance of MPs in Parliament mandatory’

Tengku Zafrul appointed senior political adviser to PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has been appointed senior political adviser to the Prime Minister for a two-year term, effective yesterday. In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said the appointment was agreed to by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and fills the vacancy for the position of senior political secretary to the prime minister. The post was previously held by Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin who resigned in November last year following controversy surrounding a support letter linked to a hospital project. Anwar expressed hope that Tengku Zafrul would discharge his responsibilities with dedication and humility, in the interest of the nation’s prosperity and the well-being of its people. Tengku Zafrul currently serves as chairman of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. He was a senator from 2020 until Dec 2 last year, completing the maximum six-year tenure in the Dewan Negara. During his time in the Senate, he helmed the Investment, Trade and Industry portfolio. He was first appointed to the Senate and Cabinet as finance minister under then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, steering fiscal policy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Politically, Tengku Zafrul joined PKR last year after leaving Umno. Last month, PKR’s central leadership council appointed him an ex-officio member of the party’s political bureau, strengthening his position within the coalition and signalling deeper integration into PKR’s leadership ranks. – By Harith Kamal Immigration entry system not compulsory KUALA LUMPUR: The use of the National Integrated Immigration System (MyNIISe), scheduled for expansion at the country’s entry points beginning in the second quarter, will not be mandatory for all travellers, the Dewan Negara was told yesterday. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the government would continue to provide various immigration clearance options, including the use of physical passports at counters, automatic gates and biometric detection. “This is to ensure that citizens and travellers have options suited to their needs. The MyBorderPass application, meanwhile, was initially implemented as a temporary measure under a proof-of-concept approach to ease congestion at the country’s main entry points,” he said during an oral question-and-answer session. He was responding to a supplementary question from Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew on information circulating on social media, which claimed that the MyNIISe system would become mandatory on a specific date and whether it would replace the MyBorderPass system. Shamsul Anuar said there was no official date for making the application mandatory, adding that the government would implement its expansion in phases to ensure a more organised and integrated immigration management system. “The approach allows the government to implement the transformation of the immigration system in a phased and controlled manner, while safeguarding border security and smooth traveller movement at all entry points,” he said, adding that MyNIISe is necessary because of rising cross-border traffic and global security concerns. – Bernama

fulfil his duty like members of other branches of power as well, executive and judiciary, and be dealt with accordingly. Wan Ahmad Fauzi added that mandatory attendance laws could help strengthen public confidence in parliamentary decision-making by reinforcing accountability among elected representatives. Meanwhile, Pacific Research Centre principal adviser Dr Oh Ei Sun said high absenteeism during key votes signals weak party discipline and lax coalition management. On the PM term limit Bill’s failure due to absent MPs, he warned it could damage public perception of the government. “This doesn’t look good for the government. It suggests the government didn’t take this seriously – either they miscalculated how many MPs would vote, or they failed to enforce the whip strictly. “That reflects very poorly and shows these reforms weren’t taken seriously,” he said. The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, tabled for its second reading by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, received 146 votes in favour, 44 against, and 32 absent, leaving it short of the threshold to amend the Constitution. The setback was rare for the Unity government, the first bill under its tenure to fail a vote. It also marked the first time since 2019 that a constitutional amendment could not secure the required two-thirds majority. The previous instance involved the amendment restoring Sabah and Sarawak’s status under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which was eventually passed in 2021. members fulfil their legislative mandate, particularly when reform votes fail by narrow margins. “Parliament cannot demand public trust while tolerating avoidable non-attendance during decisions that shape the constitutional and governance framework of the nation. “Institutional reform requires more than tabling legislation — it requires elected representatives to discharge their mandate responsibly, transparently, and consistently,” he said. – By Harith Kamal

o High absenteeism during key votes signals weak party discipline and lax coalition management, says analyst

Ű BY HARITH KAMAL newsdesk@thesundaily.com

political party cannot override one’s constitutional duty. “Political agendas must align with constitutional compliance.” On whether Malaysia should introduce legislation to ensure MPs attend votes affecting the Constitution, Wan Ahmad Fauzi said it ultimately comes down to political will but ethically, it is necessary. “A law must empower the speaker to prorate allowances for MPs who fail to attend without valid reasons,” he said, adding that legitimate excuses should be clearly defined in statute. “MPs are lawmakers and must respect their profession. They enjoy fixed allowances and other benefits, assisted by party workers and government machinery, and must be accountable in return.” Currently, parliamentary attendance is monitored only through minimal quorum requirements. However, Wan Ahmad Fauzi opined that such measures are no longer suitable given present circumstances. Addressing concerns that stricter attendance rules might undermine MPs’ independence, he said parliamentary independence would instead be safeguarded if every MP attended proceedings, barring valid excuses. “If someone is paid to do something or to hold a trust, in this context, being an MP is trusted by his constituents. He is expected to

PETALING JAYA: A law must be introduced to regulate MPs who fail to attend parliamentary proceedings, particularly when critical votes such as constitutional amendments are at stake. On Monday, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which sought to limit the prime minister’s tenure to two terms, fell just two votes short of the required two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, partly due to absenteeism. International Islamic University Malaysia constitutional law expert Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain said attendance should not only be expected during major votes but also made mandatory for all parliamentary sittings. “In all parliamentary proceedings, MPs need to be present – to participate in debates, to listen and argue, and ultimately to support or oppose any motion.” Wan Ahmad Fauzi stressed that MPs are duty-bound under the Sixth Schedule of the Federal Constitution to uphold the rule of law and constitutional supremacy. “Once they take the oath under the Sixth Schedule, they can participate in parliamentary proceedings and receive payment as lawmakers. Being an MP means subscribing to the rule of law. Loyalty to a The call comes after the Dewan Rakyat failed to pass the constitutional amendment limiting the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years, a measure that required a two-thirds majority. Its president Raymon Ram said absenteeism during critical votes cannot be normalised. “Parliamentary absenteeism during critical national votes cannot be tolerated. The rakyat must be able to see which MPs are fulfilling their constitutional duties and which are not. “Attendance is not a formality; it is a fundamental responsibility of elected representatives.” He acknowledged that MPs may have legitimate reasons to miss sessions – including medical emergencies, official duties or approved leave – but stressed that transparency is essential. “Where constitutional amendments or major governance reforms are concerned, even a few unexplained absences can swing the outcome, carrying serious democratic consequences.” TI-M outlined a series of reforms to strengthen accountability. Attendance records should be published daily during parliamentary sittings, clearly categorised as present, absent with leave or absent without leave and made publicly accessible promptly. Parliament should also designate certain votes — such as constitutional amendments, budget approvals, and motions of confidence — as requiring heightened attendance, with MPs providing written explanations for any absence. The group recommended proportionate consequences for unjustified absenteeism,

NGO calls for public roll call on absentees PETALING JAYA: Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) has urged practical, rules-based reforms to tackle parliamentary absenteeism, calling for attendance records of MPs to be made public, especially during votes of national significance. including mandatory public explanations, referrals to the Committee of Privileges, structured financial deductions, and party-level disciplinary measures.

Article 52(1) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for seats to be declared vacant if MPs are absent without leave for six months, should be applied consistently as a constitutional safeguard rather than a symbolic provision. “Political parties cannot outsource accountability to whips. They must ensure their

HARI RAYA CHEER ... Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari distributes vouchers at the Selangor State Secretariat building yesterday ahead of festive celebrations. – BERNAMAPIC