KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister should not be deified, and instead should be open to checks and balances, an academic and legal expert said today.
Universiti Malaya law lecturer Professor Dr Azmi Sharom said in the wake of Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) victory and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s appointment as prime minister, Malaysians relegated to their feudal nature and took to placing a leader on a pedestal.
“It is as if that he is a god and can do no wrong. People began worshipping him after the election.
“They should realise that he is merely a member of the parliament. He was not granted a separate mandate (from the heavens) but it comes from the parliament (the people),” Azmi said during a public forum entitled “Importance of a Strong Opposition for Vibrant Democracy” organised by the Bar Council.
Other panelists at the forum were Institute of Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) president Tunku Zain Al’ Abidin Tuanku Muhriz; Petaling Jaya lawmaker Maria Chin Abdullah and Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong Kim Seng.
Azmi said it was pertinent for Malaysian leaders to be “first among equals” instead of deified figures.
On a related matter, Azmi reminded the government to be transparent and exercise freedom of information to allow checks and balances from the ground up.
He also suggested for the Official Secrets Act (OSA) to be reviewed to ensure openness in a people-centric governance.