Selangor group backs state constitution reform
A pro-democracy group, Kembalikan Selangorku, has supported calls for Pakatan Rakyat to reform the state's constitution for democratic principles to prevail, citing the example of the appointment of the menteri besar.
"We criticise Pakatan Rakyat for deserting democratic principles and switching its support from PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to her deputy Azmin Ali in a very short period.
"The action of Pakatan Rakyat silently endorsed intervention of the monarchy in appointment of menteri besar," the NGO said in a statement today.
The group ticked off opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for "giving up" the constitutional stand and "surrendering to the sultan's appointment".
"This indeed disappointed many in Selangor," said the NGO that started the 'Black Ribbon' campaign to oppose external interference in PKR's replacement of the Selangor MB at the height of the impasse.
Kembalikan Selangorku said Pakatan should have followed the Perak example of 2008 to bring the matter to court to clarify the state constitution's stand and democratic principles.
"It should not give up responsibility to uphold the supreme law of state and disregard the mandate from people.
"The Selangor MB crisis exposes shortcomings of democratic system in Selangor state," said the group, calling for the state constitution to be thoroughly reformed.
No reforms to date
Their urging mirrors that of PKR supreme council member Gooi Hsiao Leung, who yesterday urged the new Menteri Besar Azmin Ali to move for constitutional amendments to remove ambiguities in the state administration.
Pakatan Rakyat won an unprecedented two-thirds majority in the state assembly in the last general election, allowing it to amend the state constitution.
However the Khalid-led administration does not appear to have reviewed the constitution since winning a second term as the state's ruling party.
The NGO also demanded that the state constitution be amended to allow a state assembly meeting to be convened if the majority of members demand so.
It also asked that a show of majority must be done in the state assembly, and not through press conferences outside of the state assembly.
"Implement a politics of transparency and openness. We have seen that former menteri besar Khalid signed the water restructuring agreement which kept his ruling party in darkness, PKR leaders orchestrated the Kajang move, PAS refused to reveal its MB candidate names, and the sultan only revealed the identity of the MB 24 hours before the swearing-in," it said.
"All these practices violated the people's right to information. The new administration must implement the principle of freedom of information.
"The Pakatan Rakyat government must release a white paper to explain the water restructuring fiasco, Kajang move and Selangor constitutional crisis and public monies involved in these issues," it added.-Mkini
"We criticise Pakatan Rakyat for deserting democratic principles and switching its support from PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to her deputy Azmin Ali in a very short period.
"The action of Pakatan Rakyat silently endorsed intervention of the monarchy in appointment of menteri besar," the NGO said in a statement today.
The group ticked off opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim for "giving up" the constitutional stand and "surrendering to the sultan's appointment".
"This indeed disappointed many in Selangor," said the NGO that started the 'Black Ribbon' campaign to oppose external interference in PKR's replacement of the Selangor MB at the height of the impasse.
Kembalikan Selangorku said Pakatan should have followed the Perak example of 2008 to bring the matter to court to clarify the state constitution's stand and democratic principles.
"It should not give up responsibility to uphold the supreme law of state and disregard the mandate from people.
"The Selangor MB crisis exposes shortcomings of democratic system in Selangor state," said the group, calling for the state constitution to be thoroughly reformed.
No reforms to date
Their urging mirrors that of PKR supreme council member Gooi Hsiao Leung, who yesterday urged the new Menteri Besar Azmin Ali to move for constitutional amendments to remove ambiguities in the state administration.
Pakatan Rakyat won an unprecedented two-thirds majority in the state assembly in the last general election, allowing it to amend the state constitution.
However the Khalid-led administration does not appear to have reviewed the constitution since winning a second term as the state's ruling party.
The NGO also demanded that the state constitution be amended to allow a state assembly meeting to be convened if the majority of members demand so.
It also asked that a show of majority must be done in the state assembly, and not through press conferences outside of the state assembly.
"Implement a politics of transparency and openness. We have seen that former menteri besar Khalid signed the water restructuring agreement which kept his ruling party in darkness, PKR leaders orchestrated the Kajang move, PAS refused to reveal its MB candidate names, and the sultan only revealed the identity of the MB 24 hours before the swearing-in," it said.
"All these practices violated the people's right to information. The new administration must implement the principle of freedom of information.
"The Pakatan Rakyat government must release a white paper to explain the water restructuring fiasco, Kajang move and Selangor constitutional crisis and public monies involved in these issues," it added.-Mkini
