Amendments to law proposed to bar MPs from attending Parliament if they are facing court charges, says Rais Yatim

KUALA LUMPUR: Proposals have been made to amend the law which would prohibit MPs or senators from attending Parliament proceedings if they are facing ongoing court charges, says Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim.

"Also being looked at are amendments to the The Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 that would allow the Houses to prohibit any member of Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, facing court charges, from participating in proceedings in both Houses until their cases are completed," the Senate president said in a statement on Thursday (Sept 30).

He said the proposal comes after a special meeting with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and officials from both Houses on Thursday (Sept 30) to look at ways to transform the Parliament.

Rais, who chaired the meeting, said the proposal was contained in a memorandum and draft laws, which were submitted to Wan Junaidi, who is in charge of Parliament and law.

He added that the proposed amendments would be brought to the government for approval.

Apart from amendments to the The Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, he added that also proposed was the revival of the Parliamentary Services Act 1963.

He noted the revival of the Act would further translate the concept of the separation of powers between the executive and legislature in line with Article 44 of the Federal Constitution.

Rais said the proposed transformation of Parliament is in line with the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government and Pakatan Harapan opposition leaders to initiate reforms.