KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Outspoken Independent MP Datuk Ibrahim Ali today claimed that there is no need for an Independent caucus as it would only serve to “tie the Independents down.”
The Pasir Mas MP explained that not all the Independent MPs agreed with every issue, and that having a caucus would defeat the purpose of being independent in the first place.
“There are times when you might have your own stand on a matter. I think the need to have a caucus has its pros and cons. If a caucus were formed officially, it would be an institutionalisation of sorts, akin to a political front.”
“It’s better to be an independent than form a caucus,” he told reporters in the Parliament lobby here.
But Ibrahim also pointed out that Independents had their own role to play in Parliament, and that in cases where BN or PR MPs were absent, their numbers will be important.
“Take for example the ISA bill. I don’t know their stand. I want the ISA retained, but with amendments.”
Former PKR MP Datuk Seri Zahrain Hashim had first floated the idea for an Independent caucus on Monday.
Speculation has been rife whether the Independents would be able to work together if such a caucus were to be in place.
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