Respect People’s Mandate, Do Not Deliberately Vacate  Seats - Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- Members of Parliament and elected representatives have been reminded to respect the people’s mandate by completing their full five-year term of service before making any personal political decisions, including vacating seats or switching parties.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said deliberately vacating a parliamentary seat would only disadvantage the people who had fulfilled their responsibility by voting.

“I cannot respond (to politicians’ personal actions), that is each individual’s democratic right, but spare a thought for the voters. In my view, they expect their elected representative to be there to serve,” she told reporters after launching the Pro Bono Commercial Mediation Initiative under the MADANI Mediation Centre at the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) here today.

She said this in response to situations or speculation involving actions by certain politicians reportedly intending to vacate their parliamentary seats.

Azalina also advised political party leaders to prioritise responsibility and service to the community as long as Parliament has not been dissolved.

Meanwhile, commenting on harmony within the Unity Government, particularly between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), Azalina said the cooperation remained in good condition and Cabinet meetings were proceeding smoothly as usual.

“We have a mediation clause in the agreement between PH and BN. In my view, any party that is dissatisfied should use that clause because it is an agreement that we mutually agreed upon,” said Azalina, who is also UMNO Information chief.

-- BERNAMA