Elected representatives across the political divide from five states have called on state assemblies to reform and strengthen their committees to provide greater oversight of bills, policies, and state agencies, including state government-linked companies and statutory bodies.
Kaukus Demokrasi Pelbagai Parti (KDPP) said state assemblies must take a more active role in monitoring governance at the state level, in line with reforms recently introduced in Parliament.
In a statement, the caucus urged all state assemblies to create more opportunities for elected representatives to scrutinise the executive’s work.
“State assemblies should be proactive and initiate serious public discourse on changes that can be implemented to strengthen democracy at the state level,” it said.
The group called for recognition of the role of the opposition leader and shadow cabinet, and increasing the number of days that state assemblies sit.
It welcomed a recent amendment to the Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Orders, which converted 10 previously ad hoc parliamentary special select committees into permanent ones aligned with ministerial portfolios.
It said it is ready to work with any state assembly, state think tank, state department, or other stakeholders to strengthen democratic governance at the state level.
KDPP is a bipartisan caucus that advocates institutional reform and transparent governance at the state level, comprising representatives from Johor, Selangor, Kelantan, Perak and Pahang.
