Journal of the Malaysian Parliament

Editorial Note

Nik Ahmad Kamal Bin Nik Mahmod — 2024-08-07

Front Matter

Administrator — 2024-08-07

Conceptualising the People's Parliament Approach in the Parliament of Malaysia

Azreen Haniza Abdul Hai — 2024-09-19

This study explores the Parliament of Malaysia’s transition towards a more public-friendly institution, part of a global trend towards transparent and people-centric parliamentary processes. Utilising 16 articles from the Inter-parliamentary Union’s Public Engagement Hub and additional literature, the research compares Malaysia’s initiatives with those of the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand. The analysis focuses on public engagement strategies such as public broadcasting of sessions, committee hearings, public visits, research services, and the potential for a parliamentary budget office and petition systems. Findings indicate Malaysia’s progress in some areas, like public broadcasting and committee hearings, while identifying gaps in others, like interactive visitor experiences and comprehensive digital engagement. The study highlights the challenge of balancing security with accessibility, especially under legal frameworks like the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959 (Act 298). Recommendations include enhancing the Parliament’s virtual tour and establishing a more engaging visitor centre. The study concludes that while Malaysia has made commendable strides in public engagement, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in areas requiring substantial legal and structural changes. This study contributes to understanding the dynamics of public engagement in parliamentary processes, underscoring the significance of a People’s Parliament spirit in democratic governance.

Measures to Mitigate Covid-19 in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) of Malaysia: Implications to Parliamentary Privileges

Muthanna Saari — 2024-08-06

The surge of Covid-19 cases worldwide has had its impact on how every institution discharges its functions, including the legislature. Governments, under the pretext of containing the spread of the virus, have paralysed parliament and incapacitated it from performing its duties, particularly its oversight function. This article explores the extent to which the standard operating procedures (SOP) for Covid-19 in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) of Malaysia should be permitted under the Federal Constitution of Malaysia on parliamentary procedure. Despite attempts to restrict parliament in many countries, legislatures such as in Canada, Australia and Brazil have demonstrated their ability to adapt and move progressively to minimise disruptions that the pandemic might cause to
parliament. Taken together, legislatures’ responses in times of Covid-19 offer an interesting impression of parliamentary privileges while also raise an important question of the role of parliament in representing people and checking the government actions.

Parliamentary Debate Dynamics: Understanding the Paradigm of Young Parliamentarians in the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review Discourse

Mohd Zulhelmi bin Syafuddin Tan — 2024-08-06

Young parliamentarians play a dynamic role in shaping Malaysia’s economic trajectory, especially during parliamentary sittings such as the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan. This study explores the dynamics of parliamentary debates qualitatively, scrutinising the contributions of young parliamentarians through discourse analysis, utilising the Deliberative Quality Index (DQI) to analyse speeches during the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-term Review Special Parliamentary Seating. Findings showcased a consistent range of the DQI’s scores. Still, interestingly, no clear correlation between educational background and political exposure was evident, suggesting a complex array of factors influencing deliberative quality. The thematic analysis highlighted a priority towards food security and future-ready talent, contrasted against a noticeable unfamiliarity with the MADANI concept. For a more nuanced understanding of intergenerational collaboration in legislative discussions, this study advocates a holistic approach in future research. This exploration into contrasting perspectives and debating styles between young and seasoned parliamentarians could pave the way for a more inclusive, progressive, and forward-thinking parliamentary discourse in Malaysia, fostering a blend of youthful innovation and seasoned wisdom.

Seni Helah dan Perbahasan Belanjawan 2024: Analisis Pragmatik

Muhammad Qhidir Bin Mat Isa — 2024-08-06

The integrity of the administration of any governmentlargely depends on relevant and clear financial policies, for instance, Short-Term Plans or Annual Budgets. Periodically, the Annual Budget, the most important component of Parliamentary discourse, will be tabled for discussion, either to gain support or face criticism in both Houses of Representatives. Certainly, discussions and debates require politicians to master the art of rhetoric, analysis, and inference to navigate the dynamics of political legitimacy. For this purpose, the important document known as the Hansard serves as a substantial source, recording the strategies and art of Evasive Language in challenging-defending policies, addressing-mitigating issues, and strengthening-undermining the image that determines the integrity of the legitimacy of both the Governmentand and Opposition. However, previous corpus studies by Hansard on the topic of Evasive Response have focused only on the structural forms of debate. Therefore, employing three Pragmatic models, namely Harris’s Framework of Respons (1991), Thomas’s Notion of Implicator (1995), and Claymen’s Dimension of Resistance (2012), this qualitative study aims to analyse more complex, intense, and natural debate sessions, specifically the policy debate on the 2024 Budget. The findings reveal that all three types of Responses have some distinctive features, and their selection correlates with the scale of their impact on the image of the Government-Opposition. In addition, adhering to the Gricean Maxims (1975), the configuration of Evasive Language behavior is more easily defined and justified. Lastly, the discourse background at the policy level is more heterogeneous, thereby enriching the performative nature of Evasive Language.

Undi 18 di Malaysia: Pasca Pelaksanaan dan Cabaran Berterusan

Nuraini Roslan — 2024-08-06

Most countries in the world have already allowed their 18-year-old citizens to vote in the country’s general elections; however, there are also countries that allow citizens as young as 16 to vote. The readiness of young voters is an issue highlighted by many researchers through post-implementation analysis of UNDI18 in Malaysia. This is due to the involvement of young voters which affects the legitimacy of the newly formed government. Additionally, existing research narratives focus on context from a specific demographic point of view or the analysis of topical issues in general. The objective of writing this article is to analyze the implementation of ‘UNDI18’ as well as the challenges and post-challenges faced by young voters in this country presented by previous researchers and provide new findings in the aspects discussed by the Parliament of Malaysia. This qualitative study highlights the ‘desktop research’ strategy with thematic, narrative and descriptive analysis. This article presents three main syntheses on ‘UNDI18’ and the legitimacy of the government formed through the themes generated from the content analysis. The article also discovered that social elements shape the difficulties faced by young voters in this nation, with external factors taking the lead. The article concluded that we need to develop a strategic policy that educates young voters on political and democratic issues, empowering them to make more persuasive decisions. This also entails the government’s obligation to address the issue of political education or elections for young people, and to identify specific departments or agencies that are responsible for this task.

Turning the Tide: A Comparative Analysis of Regional Parliamentary Approaches for Scaling up Climate Action

Amy, Lay Choon Tam — 2024-08-06

This study explores the crucial role that regional parliaments play in promoting climate action across different regions. It underscores the necessity of cross-border climate action, given the interconnectedness of the climate system and the transboundary impacts of climate change. The study concentrates on the contributions of regional parliaments, often overlooked, in enhancing climate action through institutional structure. It identifies the approaches, work done, and strategies implemented by regional parliaments to fill the knowledge gap in the field. By empowering regional parliamentary institutions, this study highlights their potential to drive effective climate action and accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable future.

UN Resolutions on the Role of Parliaments and Parliamentarians in Accelerating the Achievements of the SDGs

Denison Jayasooria — 2024-08-06

Since the adoption of “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” on 25 September 2015 at the United Nations General Assembly, there have been strong calls for multi-stakeholder engagements in line with SDG 17.17 on partnerships between public, public-private sectors, and civil society. The various calls to different stakeholders include the three resolutions (A/RES/76/270, A/RES/72/278 and A/RES/77/159) adopted by the UN General Assembly on the role of parliaments and parliamentarians in the implementation of the SDGs at the international, national, and local levels. These resolutions highlight the relationship and partnership between the UN and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in SDGs. Elected Members of Parliament (MPs) are the people’s representatives. They represent their voters at the highest legislative body with an oversight role in areas including the allocations of the national resources through the annual budget and monitoring the effective delivery of services. The MPs play the additional role of being the vehicle to highlight the grievances of the people. In this context, the MPs deliberate relevant policies, programmes and legislation associated with the SDGs such as poverty, health, education, employment, climate change and good governance. This article further highlights the role of four parliamentary groups actively mobilising MPs engaged with the SDGs at the international level. These are the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) and Parliamentarians for the Global Goals (PfGG). The article ends with reflections and lessons of the role Malaysian MPs are playing through the APPGM-SDG. There is a need for greater visibility in public policy advocacy in Malaysia and on the global stage. To this end, more resources need to be made available to MPs to encourage their active involvement especially at the United Nations in New York.

Youth participation in SDG-Oriented Volunteerism: Insights from Malaysia’s APPGM-SDG Platform

Philus Thomas — 2024-08-06

Engaging youth is paramount for progressing towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This quantitative research studies the active involvement of Malaysian youth as volunteers in initiatives centred around the SDGs, with a specific focus on the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG) platform. Data was gathered from 323 volunteers who applied as volunteers at the Malaysian Youth SDG Summits, the Young Asian Voices for the United Nations We Need, and the Malaysian Youth SDG Agent 22/23 and 23/24 Cohort initiatives. The objective of the study is to identify the demographic involvement of youths in volunteerism through the initiatives of APPGM-SDG. This research analyses the nature of youth participation in SDG-oriented volunteerism, investigating their demographic concentration in active engagement, including engagement by gender, organisational affiliation, and prior experience in volunteerism and how these factors contribute to voluntary work related to the SDGs. Descriptive analysis was conducted to identify the demographic distribution of youths toward the involvement in SDG-oriented volunteerism. Findings indicated a moderate distribution between males and females, a greater number of participants affiliated in organisations, and a greater number of participants with prior experience in volunteerism. By examining the quantitative nature of these volunteers with the comprehensive study of literature and discussion, we gain valuable insights into the dynamics of youth engagement in localising the SDGs. These insights, rooted in the context of Malaysia, can inform strategies for fostering youth-driven progress toward the SDGs both nationally and globally, providing recommendations to parliamentarians, civil societies, and youth groups as a whole.

Kepentingan Perancangan Pembangunan Inklusif bagi Memastikan Kelestarian Sosial, Ekonomi dan Alam Sekitar: Kajian Kes Parlimen Kuala Langat

Nurul Syaza Mazelan — 2024-08-06

All Parties Parliamentary Group Malaysia - Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG) always advocates the principle of “Leave No One Behind”. APPGM-SDG conducted an issue mapping study in the Parliament of Kuala Langat in 2023, which revealed that inclusive development planning significantly contributes to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. This is evident when considering the level of awareness among the population in the Parliament of Kuala Langat regarding local government development plans, such as Local Plans and Proposed Development Reports, especially for industrial development planning and new development areas, which are given significant attention. The population wants to ensure that the proposed development plans are more inclusive by considering the views and impacts received from the local community. However, challenges such as limited knowledge about the development planning process among the local community, limitations in making development planning decisions, and insufficient two-way communication between government agencies have led to unsustainable current development activities. The method of public engagement in development planning needs to be re-examined to ensure more inclusive development planning outcomes involving all stakeholders. Concurrently, the Sustainable Development Goal 17 (SDG 17) can be successfully manifested to ensure that development is implemented in a more inclusive and sustainable manner for the well-being of all.

Empowering Development Planning and Implementation at the District Level of Governance in Peninsular Malaysia

Lee Ken Teo — 2024-08-06

The District Office occupies a significant position in the federal and administrative structure of the country. Yet over the decades, the roles of the District Office and Officer have seemingly taken a less visible and prominent role in the area of development, particularly for the local communities from the district level and below. This paper provides a brief background on the development of the District Office in Peninsular Malaysia and its role in the area of development for the Malaysian nation and society. It examines the challenges faced by the District Offices in Malaysia. The paper further discusses how the District Offices can play a more prominent role in the nation-building and development processes of the country, including in implementing an inclusive development agenda for local communities in Malaysia. To do so, the paper refers to the issue mapping findings of the APPGM-SDG from 2020 to 2023. It focuses on and features these findings to assess the roles and challenges, and the prospective initiatives the District Offices and the APPGM-SDG can together act on to spearhead sustainable development and the formation of inclusive communities.

Exploring the State of Mental Well-Being Among B40 Women

Nurul Syahirah Abd Aziz — 2024-08-06

The solution projects under The All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia on the Sustainable Development Goals (APPGM-SDG) have played a significant role in empowering the local communities, particularly women through Income Generation (IG) and Community Learning Center (CLC) projects. The initiative consists of twelve modules on entrepreneurship skills and handholding, with a minimum of 10 to 25 beneficiaries from the B40 category who are mentored by the Solution Provider (SP) throughout the following three to four months. Each project was awarded a RM40,000 grant to provide the beneficiaries with skills and knowledge that will allow them to be independent entrepreneurs. It was discovered through the four case studies that adhered to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) that certain female beneficiaries were experiencing such high levels of life pressure that negatively impacted their mental health due to a lack of necessary coping strategies to manage the stress and uncomfortable emotions. The reasons vary, ranging from personal issues and societal pressures to the inherent challenges of entrepreneurship. The finding shows that the project’s method of group activities or social groups enhances the beneficiaries’ mental health by providing them with encouragement, hope, and drive to succeed in life. It is also highly recommended to provide mental health awareness as one of the compulsory modules in the solution projects to equip women with appropriate coping techniques for overall success.

Masyarakat Pribumi: Cabaran Masyarakat Orang Asli Peta Dalam Mencapai Pembangunan Mampan Di Taman Negara Endau - Rompin, Mersing, Johor

Wan Suzita Wan Ibrahim — 2024-08-06

The government has implemented various national development projects involving various agencies and the private sector, including in Orang Asli village areas, especially in achieving the 17 sustainable development goals that have been recommended by the government since 2015. However, the involvement and development changes in the Orang Asli areas are still being left behind and they should be considered so as not to disturb their original socio-culture. Therefore, this study was conducted in the Orang Asli Peta village (Endau Rompin National Park), Mersing, Johor to examine the challenges of the Orang Asli Peta community, in achieving sustainable development. The methodology used in this study is qualitative, which is an in-depth interview. Meanwhile, the data collection technique in the field is a group discussion (FGD) with Tok Batin and 25 village representatives from the Jakun tribe. They are experienced and have lived in the area for a long time. Meanwhile, the analysis is carried out through government documents and situational analysis. The study found that the challenge of achieving sustainable development among the Orang Asli community is difficult to overcome. The implications of the changes brought by the government show that the community has become increasingly complex due to the lack of development aspects of social facilities, culture, job opportunities, native culture, and ecosystem conflict, the need to protect the rights of the Orang Asli, weaknesses in JAKOA’s administration and natural disasters. Therefore, the existing social development in the Orang Asli village area should be improved so that it can be adapted without damaging the identity of the Orang Asli community in the implementation of planned development by the government.

Cultivating Sustainable Futures: Community-Led Farming Initiatives in Malaysia by APPGM-SDG

Dana Claudia Undan Dumpangol — 2024-08-06

Malaysia grapples with pressing food security challenges, marked by uneven resource access, fluctuating agricultural yields, and vulnerability to external factors. Recognizing the urgency of these issues, APPGM-SDG has directed its efforts towards fostering both food security and food safety. With 198 ongoing projects this year and 53 successfully completed projects in the previous year, this journal article explores APPGM-SDG’s initiatives in localizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Malaysia, with a specific focus on community farming projects. The article aims to offer a holistic overview of these projects, delving into their multifaceted impacts and thoroughly examining their farming practices, socio-economic and community dimensions. The methodology involves the promotion of the food security initiative through grant allocation and selection processes for identifying and supporting solution providers. Additionally, insights from the database of the 198 ongoing projects, coupled with two case studies from completed projects, highlight the scale and reach of APPGM-SDG’s endeavors, providing both quantitative and qualitative insights into the tangible outcomes and positive impacts realized within the grassroots communities.

SDG Innovations & Impact: Relational Approach in Enabling Innovative Solutions and Impact Creation at the Grassroots

Paniirselvam Jayaraman — 2024-08-06

SDG localisation is a primary goal of APPGM-SDG, and solution projects are the key component of this effort. Formed in 2019, mirroring the UK Parliament setup, the APPGM-SDG Malaysia has been the forefront organisation in localising SDGs in parliamentary constituencies. Despite Covid-19 and other practical challenges. The grounded research approach undertaken by APPGM-SDG paved the way for innovative grassroots solutions designed and undertaken by local organisations targeting vulnerable communities in their own localities. From 2020 to November 2023, APPGM-SDG has undertaken targeted solution projects at an unprecedented level, with 664 SDGs solution projects in 4 years and 364 solution providers around the country. These innovative solutions are developed through a unique relational approach between multiple stakeholders and engagements in multiple processes in the making. This approach has been the key framework in designing solution projects that have proven to have a much greater impact towards the community as a whole and personally on the livelihoods of the participants involved. This is also evident in our recent publication, SDG Solution Projects: Best Practices Impacting the Grassroots, which carries 35 best practices for solution projects and innovative stories from the ground that can be examples of model solutions for vulnerable communities. This paper will discuss the relational approach that brings out SDG innovations in finding solutions between the partners involved, the empowerment and participatory models in place, and the processes involved in curating suitable solutions. The lessons learnt from 2020 until now in crafting fine-tuned solutions will also be included in this paper, together with real-life case studies of SDG innovative solutions that have a greater relational approach between stakeholders.