MPs urged to stay until dissolution amid constitutional reform push

Parliamentary reform advocates have been advised against leaving their seats prematurely as the government pursues significant constitutional changes requiring substantial legislative support.

Larry Sng, president of the parliamentary reform movement, warned that MPs should remain in office until parliament is formally dissolved. His counsel comes as the government navigates the complex procedural requirements for advancing constitutional amendments that would necessitate a two-thirds parliamentary majority.

The push for constitutional reforms has sparked debate within legislative circles, with some parliamentarians contemplating early exits. However, Sng cautioned that such departures could undermine the government's ability to secure the supermajority votes essential for amending the constitution.

The timing of the advisory reflects ongoing tensions between reform-minded legislators and the government's legislative agenda. Constitutional amendments in Malaysia require substantial parliamentary consensus, making the maintenance of government numbers a critical consideration in the current political landscape.

Parliament remains the primary forum for advancing such reforms, underscoring Sng's emphasis on members maintaining their seats through the regular dissolution cycle rather than pursuing independent exits.