Parliament Attendance Malaysia : In Malaysia, a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years failed to pass in Parliament after falling just two votes short of the required 148. The failure has been largely attributed to the absence of 32 Members of Parliament (MPs), including several from the ruling government, despite holding a two-thirds majority.
The incident has reignited public frustration over parliamentary absenteeism — an issue long criticized by Malaysians. Taking a stand, 32-year-old Roshinee has launched a grassroots initiative to hold MPs accountable through a parliamentary petition.
With support from friends, she is working to collect at least 500 signatures and secure an MP willing to present the petition in Parliament. The campaign, titled “Dilarang Ponteng Parlimen” (No Skipping Parliament), demands stricter attendance rules, including reducing the allowed absence period and introducing penalties such as salary cuts.
Currently, Malaysian law allows MPs to be absent for up to six months before their seats may be declared vacant. The petition seeks to shorten this period, citing stricter systems in countries like Singapore and Australia, where prolonged absenteeism leads to automatic disqualification.
Despite limited resources, Roshinee and her team gathered 425 signatures within seven hours on April 18 near Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur. Many supporters, especially young Malaysians, travelled long distances to sign the petition, reflecting growing public interest in political accountability.
The initiative highlights both the outdated nature of Malaysia’s petition system — which still requires physical signatures — and the increasing demand for digital participation in governance. Roshinee plans to organize another signature drive on April 26, aiming to surpass 1,000 supporters. (Malaysia parliament attendance)
Public reaction has been mixed, with some expressing concerns about data privacy. However, many believe the campaign is a necessary step toward improving democratic responsibility.
If successful, this petition could mark a significant step in encouraging greater parliamentary discipline and citizen engagement in Malaysia’s political process.
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