It's a process, DPM Fadillah says on amending laws and policies

Changes to existing government policies and laws, regarding whether they should be improved, reviewed or repealed, need to go through a normal process and obtain the input of all stakeholders, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof said today.

He said decisions can only be made by the government after taking into account the results of engagement sessions with various parties.

"When we discuss the relationship with existing policies and legislation, we have to take many things into account," he said in response to a supplementary question by Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) in the Dewan Rakyat.

Saifuddin had asked if the government intended to repeal the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) as promised in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto.

Higher Education Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin was recently reported as saying that the government does not intend to abolish UUCA as the act is still relevant, especially in terms of university governance.   

To the original question by Saifuddin on details, especially on reforming Parliament, Fadillah said the government views seriously the agenda of reforming the institution and is taking comprehensive measures to realise the agenda.

"The government will ensure any reform implemented takes into consideration the views of all stakeholders," he said. 

The reforms in question include the re-establishment of parliamentary services to realise the separation of powers between the legislature and the executive and examine amending the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 (Act 347).

Fadillah said several basic matters regarding the drafting of the Parliamentary Services Act would be finalised before being presented to the Cabinet.

"Improvements and amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 (Act 711) are also being implemented to strengthen the act and realise the vision of the National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023 to create a corruption-free country," he said.