adminKUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the implementation of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 as an important step by the MADANI Government in fulfilling its promise of institutional reform to the people, including limiting the powers that have so far been under the government and the Head of the Council.
He said the move was one of the important pillars of the country’s reform agenda which reflected the government’s willingness to bring about change to strengthen the independence of the parliamentary institution and mature the parliamentary democracy system.
“I consider this change and the Parliamentary Services Act important because, I emphasize, it defines the meaning of Parliamentary Democracy and the maturity of the democratic system.”
“So this is one of the important steps that I consider to be a milestone in the reform of the CIVIL country, namely implementing, fulfilling our promise to the people that the Parliamentary Services Act be introduced, approved and limits the existing and customary powers of the government and especially the Head of the Council,” he said.
The Prime Minister said this when speaking at the Malaysian Parliament’s Administrative Transition and Institutional Reform Ceremony in conjunction with the implementation of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 at Parliament House today.
Also present were the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat Tan Sri Johari Abdul and the Speaker of the Senate Senator Datuk Seri Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah as well as the Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Reviewing the history of Parliament’s administration, Anwar said efforts to strengthen the independence of the institution had come a long way since the introduction of the relevant law in the 1960s, before it was repealed in 1992.
He said the reinstatement of the Parliamentary Services Act reflected a commitment to continuing the process of maturing Parliamentary Democracy, the success of which also depended on the credibility of the leadership of both Houses as well as the willingness of Members of Parliament to support the reforms.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister hopes that the new freedoms and powers given to Parliament can be utilized to improve the capabilities and professionalism of the institution’s members, as well as to improve the quality and manners of debate.
“Of course, it is hoped that with the freedom and jurisdiction of Parliament to elevate the capabilities of its own staff and the level of professionalism, we also expect an improvement in the quality of debate and also the manners in debate in accordance with the new jurisdiction.”
“This effort requires the cooperation of all parties including members of the government administration, members of Parliament who support the government and the opposition… the freedoms given must be implemented with an understanding of the limits and responsibilities in a democratic system,” he said.
At the Dewan Rakyat session this morning, the motion presented by Anwar regarding the appointment of four Members of Parliament to sit on the Parliamentary Services Council in accordance with the provisions of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 was passed by a majority vote without a debate session.
The elected MPs are two representatives each from the government and the opposition, namely Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam), Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu).
— BERNAMA
