MAY 26 — The Dewan Rakyat descended into a ruckus, yet again.

It followed the Deputy Speaker Ramli Mohd Nor approving the call for a bloc vote by the Opposition chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan. Ramli then agreed to close the House’s door. Opposition lawmakers then spotted a few government MPs entering the House even after the door was closed.

A shouting match lasted for more than 15 minutes before Ramli called the Leader of the House and informed the result of the bloc vote.

The bloc vote result arrived at 83 MPs agreeing to proceed with the government’s business in the Order Paper today, 52 opposed, 86 were absent, and one (Ramli) did not vote as he was the Deputy Speaker on duty.

After the result was announced, most of the Opposition MPs led by Takiyuddin walked out and held a press conference to address their concerns.

At the press conference, Takiyuddin said:

"Today (yesterday) is the fourth day, and there are seven more days remaining, I want to ask does the government have no more Bills left for the remaining seven days?”

"Does it not matter that the government gave a surprise on the amendment Bill for the Insolvency Act when its first reading was done on the 23rd (May 23) and there was no time for us to think about it?

"I want this to be recorded, that, will there be other Bills left for the seven remaining days if there are, when will it be?” Takiyuddin added.

Perhaps the government can surprise Takiyuddin and his colleagues, as well as the public, with reform Bills. I am thinking of one — the Malaysian Law Reform Commission Bill.

If the unity government is serious about institutional and law reforms, then such a Bill should be the first to be introduced.

An independent law reform commission (LRC) will have, among others, the best brains, support of public officials, academics, experts and members of the public, expertise, focus, and continuity to recommend reforms to the government.

A Malaysian independent LRC is long overdue. So, how about surprising us with the Malaysian Law Reform Commission Bill?

*This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.