The Art of Neutering the Malaysian Parliament
By Zairil Khir Johari
October 2016 CARPE DIEM
Malaysia inherited the Westminster parliamentary system in 1957. But since then the country’s law-making body has been steadily undermined. The innovation exercised in this process is worth studying by any wannabe dictator.“MPs in Malaysia are often busy performing KBSM duties.”I am fond of repeating this phrase whenever asked to speak on the roles and responsibilities of Malaysian parliamentarians. Typically, my statement would elicit blank stares, although occasionally someone would ask me if by KBSM I meant “Kurikulum Bersepadu Sekolah Menengah,”...
Zairil Khir Johari
is the Penang state executive councillor for public works, utilities and flood mitigation, and the state assemblyman for Tanjong Bunga.
