There is no need for senate, says Karpal

(Bernama) – The DAP chairman, Karpal Singh today said the federal constitution should be amended to abolish the senate.

“There is no need for the senate. It is an unnecessary expense required to be borne by the people. It does not serve a useful purpose.

“It only encourages those who have been rejected by the people or others to be brought into Parliament through the back door via the senate as in law Parliament also includes the senate,” he told a press conference, here.

He said a unicameral house with a single legislative chamber, as is the position in Singapore, would be best suited in the public interest.

Karpal, who is also the Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament, said the inclusion of Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Datuk Idris Jala, Datuk Paul Low Seng Kuan, Datuk Dr J. Loga Bala Mohan, Datuk Ahmad Bashar Md Hanipah and Watha Moorthy in the cabinet was a mockery.

He said such personalities, who do not hold a single seat either in the Dewan Rakyat or in any of the state assemblies, should be shown the door and not allowed entry through the back door via the senate.

“Any cabinet worth its name must, of necessity, include personalities of integrity and high public standing and that assessment can only be through direct election by the people and not by appointment,” he added.