Kuala Lumpur, 30 April 2025: In a landmark step for Malaysian democracy, a group of elected State Assembly Members (ADUNs) from across five states and multiple political parties have come together to form a brand new caucus, namely Kaukus Demokrasi Pelbagai Parti (KDPP). This new cross party, cross state coalition is the first of its kind in Malaysian history, built on a shared mission to champion institutional reforms and strengthen democratic governance at the state level. The caucus is supported by civil society organisations (CSOs) and jointly facilitated by secretariats The Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) and The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH).

The KDPP will prioritise reforms long discussed at the federal level but overlooked in states—namely regulating political financing, ensuring transparent and equitable Constituency Development Fund (CDF) distribution, and strengthening legislative oversight in Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

The KDPP policy goals are as follows:

Policy | Priority Issues of the KDPP Position

Political financing reforms

• Support the enactment of the Political Financing Law and to ensure that the law covers the state-level party and members

Reforms on CDF

• Equitable distribution of CDF to both government and non-government ADUNs
• Requirement to publicly disclose the usage of CDF in a standardised manner

Strengthening the checks and balances role of DUN

• Propose to increase the number of DUN sitting days
• To publish information regarding the Committees of the DUN

These reforms are critical to establishing a more accountable, transparent and participatory democracy, especially at the level where decisions often affect the rakyat most directly.

The KDPP consists of members from (DUNs), representing various political parties alongside representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs). We are proud to announce the list of committed KDPP members, led by the newly elected co-Chairs, YB Dr Hafidzah Mustakim and YB Dato’ Andansura Rabu, as follows:

ADUN:

1. YB Wong Chai Yi – PKR, Simpang Pulai, Perak
2. YB Dr Hafidzah Mustakim – Amanah, Kota Lama, Kelantan
3. YB Asilah Zin – PAS, Limbongan, Kelantan
4. YB Amira Aisya – MUDA, Puteri Wangsa, Johor
5. YB Rajiv Rishyakaran – DAP, Bukit Gasing, Selangor
6. YB Chan Chun Kuang – PKR, Semambu, Pahang
7. YB Dato’ Andansura Rabu – PAS, Beserah, Pahang
8. YB Chua Wei Kiat – PKR, Rawang, Selangor
9. YB Ishsam Shahruddin – UMNO, Ayer Kuning, Perak

CSO Members:

10. Agora Society
11. Bait Al Amanah
12. Institute of Political Reform and Democracy Malaysia (REFORM)

Secretariat:

13. The Coalition of Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH)
14. Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS)

We hope to promote multi-party dialogue, engagement, and cooperation at the State Assembly (DUN) level to implement the necessary reforms for healthy and productive multi-party competition. It is our hope that this caucus will act as a catalyst for introducing institutional reforms at the state level to foster fair political competition.

Through this caucus, we aim to broaden public participation in understanding issues related to democratic empowerment, so that critical institutional reforms at the state level can be realised with active involvement from the rakyat throughout the process. As part of this effort, we will organise three to four workshops across various states in collaboration with IDEAS and BERSIH to raise awareness of these crucial institutional reforms at the grassroots level.

KDPP also wishes to express its profound appreciation to the late YB Ishsam Shahruddin, from UMNO, former State Assemblyperson for Ayer Kuning, who was among the earliest to consent to becoming a member of this Caucus. His invaluable contributions and insights laid the foundation for the establishment of this Caucus. The Caucus hereby formally extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late YB Ishsam and prays that he may be placed among the righteous and those who have done good.

Lastly, we welcome the support and ideas of ADUNs, state governments, CSOs, and the public in advancing institutional reforms, particularly at the state level. The KDPP is committed to working with all parties, regardless of affiliation, and will leverage its diverse membership of ADUNs and CSOs to champion meaningful reforms across Malaysia.

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Download the Media Statement PDF File Here

For enquiries, please contact:
Ryan Panicker
Assistant Manager, Advocacy and Events
T: 03 – 2070 8881/8882 | E: ryannesh@ideas.org.my

Ahmad Salami
Senior Program Officer, BERSIH
E: salami@bersih.org | T: 013-2713484