THERE should more freedom of information and less secrecy in governance if Malaysia is break away from the Barisan Nasional way of doing things and make progress, said a law academic.

Universiti Malaya Faculty of Law associate professor Dr Azmi Sharom said such a change was crucial for check and balance.

“We need the Freedom of Information Act and we have to rethink the Official Secrets Act. 

“Only then we can have a more transparent administration,” he said at the forum, Importance of a Strong Opposition For a Vibrant Democracy, today. 

Azmi said the current system gave too much power to one person with the result that the person in charge had become nearly godlike in status. 

“(For example) After the election, the people started praising Prime Minister Dr Mahathir (Mohamad). But the prime minister is not something unique. He doesn’t get his mandate separately, it comes from Parliament. 

“What is needed is a leader who is first among equals, not someone sitting on top of a mountain.”

Azmi said the cabinet had to make sure they worked together and not become like a “sultanate”. 

“We need Pakatan Harapan and we need them to be successful so that we can change the narrative of the country. 

“The arguments must be debated and we need a change in politics.Only then can we see a paradigm shift.” – June 9, 2018.