THE legislative hurdle remains despite the appointment of additional Pakatan Harapan senators today.

The new appointments have boosted PH’s presence in the Dewan Negara to seven members from the previous two, with another two allies in Hindraf chairman P. Waytha Moorthy and an existing senator from the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation.

However, these new senators will still have to face a largely unfriendly Barisan Nasional-dominated Senate.

As of last month, out of 46 senators, BN has 30, with 22 from Umno, MCA (5) and MIC (3).

The BN-friendly Indian Progressive Front has one senator. Former BN component Gerakan, which is now an independent party, has two.

Two senators appointed today from PAS brings the party’s Dewan Negara members to four.

PH’s other allies are three senators from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), and one each from Parti Bersatu Sabah and the Liberal Democratic Party.

GPS and the Sabah parties are not part of PH, but have said they will support the government.

The PH government intends to abolish the goods and services tax and reintroduce the sales and services tax in the current parliamentary sitting, with SST due to be re-implemented on September 1.

Given PH’s majority in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat, it should not face problems in the Lower House, and neither should it face issues in the Senate, which can be bypassed for money bills, after 30 days, under Article 68 of the federal constitution.

A money bill, as defined in Article 67, refers to a bill or amendments that directly or indirectly affect taxes, the borrowing of money, the payment and receipt of money from the consolidated fund, as well as other monetary dealings.

Non-money bills, however, can bypass the Senate only after one year.

This relates to other laws that the government wants to change. PH has said it will do away with a slew of laws that curb freedoms, including the Anti-Fake News Act that was hurriedly passed and gazetted under the previous BN government before the May 9 elections.

Other laws marked for repeal or amendments mentioned in PH’s election manifesto are the Sedition Act, Prevention of Crime Act, Universities and University Colleges Act, Printing Presses and Publications Act, National Security Council Act and Peaceful Assembly Act.

Under Article 66 of the federal constitution, a bill has to be passed by both houses – the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara – before it is presented to the Agong for royal assent.

However, should BN senators decide to put up a challenge to non-money bills, the government’s move to do away with certain laws could be delayed by up to a year. – July 17, 2018.