The Role of Technology in Advancing Parliamentary Outreach and Civil Society Engagement in Malaysia

About the Parliament of Malaysia. Written on September, 2021

Introduction

The landscape of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia has been through significant changes, especially post the 2018 general elections, which saw a new government in power for the first time in 62 years. This change, coupled with the global COVID-19 pandemic, has brought new challenges and opportunities for how the Malaysian Parliament interacts with civil society. The issue at hand explores how technological means can be leveraged for enhanced parliamentary outreach to civil society, with a particular focus on the Malaysian context.

The Status Quo: Limited Technological Integration

The Malaysian Parliament operates under a Westminster system, with a lower house known as the House of Representatives and an upper house called the Senate. Despite the evolving political climate and the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, the use of technology for parliamentary proceedings and outreach has been minimal. During the pandemic, even though emergency measures were declared, there was a missed opportunity for the Parliament to utilise technology to continue its functions in a hybrid or fully virtual manner.

This lack of technological integration is partly attributed to existing standing orders, specifically Standing Order 85, which restricts the live telecast of certain proceedings. Furthermore, while the main chamber debates are accessible to the public via various online platforms, the activities within the Parliamentary Select Committees remain inaccessible due to the same restrictions.

Civil Society Interventions

Civil society organisations, particularly Reform, have been at the forefront of advocating for greater technological integration within the parliamentary system. Reform has been conducting research, capacity-building programmes, and public advocacy to enlighten various segments of the population about parliamentary democracy. The organisation has also taken a proactive role in demonstrating that a hybrid parliamentary model is feasible, as evidenced by the success of a youth-led initiative to organise a virtual youth parliament.

The Imperative for Change

The need for modernising the parliamentary outreach methods is not just a matter of convenience but a democratic imperative. In a nation that celebrated 62 years of parliamentary democracy, the absence of a dedicated Parliamentary Education Office is a glaring omission. Technology could facilitate education, public consultations, and other forms of engagement that are crucial for a robust democratic process.

However, the effort to integrate technology should also be mindful of the existing digital divide, particularly between rural and urban areas. As data from the Department of Statistics indicates, while internet usage has increased from 87% to 90% between 2018 and 2021, the technological gap remains a challenge that needs addressing to ensure inclusivity.

Conclusion

The case of Malaysia serves as a pertinent example of how technology can be both an enabler and a divider in the process of democratic participation. While technology offers novel avenues for parliamentary outreach and engagement with civil society, barriers in the form of outdated standing orders and the existing digital divide need to be overcome.

Civil society organisations like Reform have played an instrumental role in pushing for change, demonstrating the feasibility of technological alternatives, and filling the educational void. However, for a more sustainable and inclusive solution, there is a need for institutional reforms within the parliament itself.

Amidst changing governments and global crises like COVID-19, the Malaysian Parliament must be agile, creative, and innovative. It is high time that technology is embraced not as a mere tool but as a fundamental component of a modern parliamentary system, one that can ensure that the wheels of democracy continue to turn, even in the most unprecedented of times.

The views expressed in this article are derived from the analysis of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the represented institutions, nor should they be considered and should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any kind. The information presented in this article is derived from multiple sources. We encourage readers to access official sources from the institution in question.