Elected representatives across the political divide from five states have come together to form a bipartisan caucus aimed at championing institutional reforms and transparent governance at the state level.
Bersih and think tank Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) facilitated the formation of Kaukus Demokrasi Pelbagai Parti (KDPP), which will be co-chaired by PAS‘s Beserah assemblyman Andansura Rabu and Amanah’s Kota Lama assemblyman Dr Hafidzah Mustakim.
The five states represented in the caucus are Johor, Selangor, Kelantan, Perak and Pahang.
Speaking at the caucus’s official launch today, Hafidzah said it was the first of its kind.
She said KDPP would focus on three key areas – political financing reform, fair and transparent distribution of constituency development funds (CDF), and strengthening legislative checks and balances in state assemblies.
“KDPP will prioritise reforms long discussed at the federal level but overlooked in states,” she told a press conference here.
“These reforms were crucial to creating a more transparent, accountable, and inclusive democracy, particularly at the state level where decisions had immediate impact on the rakyat.”
Hafidzah said KDPP would push for equitable allocation of CDFs to both government and opposition assemblymen, adding that the matter would be raised at the next caucus meeting.
Last month, the federal government said it would not consider equal allocations for opposition MPs unless Perikatan Nasional first proposed amendments to the terms it viewed as “unfair” in the draft memorandum of understanding.
To build momentum from the ground up, Andansura said KDPP will also hold three to four workshops across several states in partnership with IDEAS and election watchdog Bersih.
“We will implement the series of workshops in the sub-levels, including in each country,” he said.
Other KDPP members include Wong Chai Yi (PKR), Rajiv Rishyakaran (DAP), Amira Aisya Abd Aziz (Muda) and the late Ishsam Shahruddin, who will be replaced by another Umno representative.
