Rais: Plans in motion to enhance the role of Dewan Negara

PETALING JAYA: Dewan Negara senators are drawing up a proposal to amend the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act to strengthen the role of the upper house, says its president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

"The report of the transformative steps will be presented to the King and the ruling government as a means to champion the legislature," he said in a statement after charing a virtual discussion with senators on the theme "Senate the New Torch of the Parliament of Malaysia" on Thursday (Aug 19).

He said the proposals to transform Dewan Negara were drawn up by way of bipartisan consensus.

He noted that the proposals were not solely aimed at enhancing the privileges accorded to senators but also to bring about structural and administrative changes.

He said the proposed changes would be in line with the concept of separation of powers to ensure that the legislature played a functional role as check and balance.

"Parliament as the legislative body cannot be under the supervision of the executive except for discussions of financial matters," he added.

Rais also said that Parliamentary special select committees, which have legal powers, should also play a core role in addressing issues faced by the rakyat for the government to resolve.

Among the committees cited by Rais included those involving the people's well-being, sociocultural matters, communications and education.

He added that the transformation is not done solely for the interests of the Senate but for the legislative body as a whole to ensure its sovereignty as the nation's highest lawmaking body.

Dewan Negara comprises 70 senators who serve a three-year term following appointments by the various political parties, 26 of whom are selected by the respective state legislative assemblies.

The other 44 senators are appointed by the King.

There are currently 54 senators listed under the Parliament website, with 16 vacancies.