Securing two-thirds is top priority for government, says PM

Timothy Achariam Timothy Achariam Updated 7 years ago · Published on 28 Feb 2019 9:05PM · 6 Comments

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad says it is important for Pakatan to secure two-thirds majority in order for the government to implement its policies. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Kamal Ariffin, February 28, 2019.

PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today that although winning the Semenyih by-election is important, what’s more important is securing two-thirds majority in Parliament to enact the changes Pakatan Harapan has promised.

“I hope we are aware that this is just a by-election, what we need is two-thirds majority to enact changes and amend the constitution,” he said.

He said the government is on track to do what it has promised the people but it does have its drawbacks.

“Problems will come when we can’t fulfil our promises. We need to amend the constitution and we can’t do that without two-thirds majority,” he said during a hangout session with motorcycle riders at Tesco Semenyih before he takes the stage again for the grand rally at 9pm tonight, 48 hours before the Semenyih by-election.

He cited the example of lowering the voting age from 21 years old to 18 years.

“If we want to do this we need two-thirds majority,” he said.

He also said PH needs two-thirds majority to enact the two term limit on serving prime ministers.

Dr Mahathir said he had two-thirds majority during his first stint as prime minister, which made it easier to make change.

“This why we are accepting Umno defectors into our party, we will accept them so that our two-thirds is sealed,” he said.

Immediately after the general election in May 9, 2018, PKR had 47 MPs, Bersatu 13 and DAP 42. Bersatu accepted seven former MPs from Umno earlier this month. – February 28, 2019.

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Comments

  • This isnt good news at all. It just means PH unable to manage Malaysia without a placid opposition.

    Posted 7 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

    • 2/3 majority and a strong opposition can coexist in the parliament, can't they?

      Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • 2/3 majority and a strong opposition can coexist in the parliament, can't they?

      Posted 7 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

    • Tanahairku: No.

      Posted 7 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • As many have pointed out, many of the promised reforms which can be carried out without a 2/3 majority are not being carried out. What makes anyone think that any 'reforms' will be carried out after that?The rakyat must never again give a 2/3 majority to any party or coalition. Any constitutional amendments which require a 2/3 majority should be done through cross-partisan support. Is there any reason BN wouldn't back lowering the voting age? Has PH even tried to assess their support for this issue? I hope the BN and other opposition parties will make a clear stand on this to prevent a power grab by PH.

    Posted 7 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply

  • Another question to ask: should the constitution be amendable by a 2/3 vote in Parliament? Why not by referendum or another more representative method? As history has shown us, the 2/3 mechanism is very dangerous in Malaysia's first past the post system, with numerous defections happening seemingly 'under undue influence'.

    Posted 7 years ago by Anak Kampung · Reply