Parliamentary Outreach and Technological Interventions: A Comparative Analysis Between Government Institutions and Civil Society in Malaysia
About the Parliament of Malaysia. Written on September, 2021
Introduction
Parliamentary outreach and the enhancement of civil society's involvement are fundamental elements in maintaining a democratic and vibrant society. The intricacies of such practices become more pronounced when viewed through the lens of distinct institutional settings: government institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Comparative Analysis: Government Institutions versus NGOs
The stark contrast between operating within a governmental body, like a parliament, and an NGO lies primarily in the bureaucratic hurdles. Government officials often need to ask for permissions and navigate red tape before they can engage in outreach programmes or discussions with civil society. This is a stark contrast to the more flexible working environment within NGOs, where outreach initiatives and programmes are largely dependent on personal initiative and the individual’s familiarity with the local system.
This difference extends to the perception of neutrality. When working for parliament, officials are expected to remain impartial and unbiased, serving the parliament and its members, regardless of political affiliation. However, such neutrality can become blurred when assisting outside organisations, causing public and parliamentary perceptions to view the assistance as political bias.
In contrast, within civil society, these professionals can work with any organisation, political party or individual without the fear of being viewed as partisan. This freedom allows for a more fruitful engagement with the public and ensures the dissemination of knowledge about parliamentary democracy.
Transparency and Open Data Strategies
The adoption of open data strategies and prioritising transparency can facilitate better outreach to civil society. Transparency in parliamentary activities can serve as a gateway to promote increased participation. By making public what is being debated and the associated content and schedules, people can follow and engage with the legislative process more effectively.
An illustrative case is Malaysia's Parliament, which in 2018 began uploading written questions on its website for public access under a new government. This move towards greater transparency was complemented by further requests to make voting and proceeding documents publicly accessible. These strategies are seen as a critical move towards a more democratic and transparent parliament.
Technological Means for Outreach
Modernising parliamentary practices and employing technology is a crucial factor in enabling effective parliamentary reform. In addition to ensuring transparency, the use of technological devices can streamline parliamentary processes and improve the efficiency of democratic procedures.
In the Malaysian context, this has become an area of focus, with a collective of civil societies working towards parliamentary reform and emphasising the need to utilise technology for a more modern parliament.
Conclusion
The disparities between government institutions and NGOs in engaging civil society underpin the need for reforms to ensure the effective functioning of democracy. The case of Malaysia provides an illuminating insight into these differences and the potential benefits of transparency and modernisation through technological means.
While the bureaucratic constraints within government can hinder direct outreach efforts, the unrestricted nature of NGOs offers an avenue for comprehensive engagement with the public. As civil societies continue to advocate for parliamentary reforms and utilise technology to modernise the parliamentary process, the outreach to civil society is poised to become more effective and efficient, thereby strengthening the democratic fabric of society.