PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has agreed in principle to proposals for parliamentary reforms, including the reintroduction of the Parliamentary Services Act and barring Members of Parliament with court trials from attending sittings, says Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) said discussions with the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat and the Senate president were held, and they had agreed that the government should enact a Parliamentary Services Act to realise the separation of powers among the legislative, executive and judiciary.
"This enactment also takes into account the establishment of the Parliamentary Services Commission, which is part of Parliament's management, that will have the autonomous power to determine its own policies and administrative management of Parliament," he said in a statement on Friday (June 3).
The other two proposed parliamentary reforms are amendments to the Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 and a draft Code of Ethics for MPs.
Wan Junaidi said other matters that will be looked into include the proposal to establish a Parliamentary Services Scheme as well as financial resources and an annual budget for Parliament from a consolidated fund to be managed by the Parliamentary Commission itself in accordance with the principle of separation of powers.
On the amendments to the Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, Wan Junaidi explained that it was of the utmost importance to ensure that the law stayed relevant and was suited to the present day.
"The Act was enacted in 1952 as the House of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) 1952 and was amended in 1953, before it was enforced in the same year.
"In 1988, an amendment was made to change it into the current Act. Aside from that, it has not been amended since 1953," he noted.
Wan Junaidi said the Parliament (Privileges and Power) Act 1952 was related to the powers and privileges of MPs, freedom of speech, and debates during parliamentary proceedings.
“The amendment will involve barring and suspending MPs who have already been charged in court, but this is being fine-tuned to adapt the latest and existing rules of the Dewan Rakyat,” he added.
On the code of ethics, Wan Junaidi had proposed the formation of a separate code of ethics which is different from the current parliamentary Standing Orders.
"The code of ethics for MPs will (have more details on) how an MP should act within and outside the Dewan as practised in other countries," he said.
Following the Cabinet decision, Wan Junaidi has requested the speakers of both Houses to hold Select Committee meetings and also meet with stakeholders.
The reforms are among areas mentioned in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed with Pakatan Harapan on Sept 13, said Wan Junaidi.
The Parliamentary Services Act 1963, which provided for Parliament to conduct its own administration, staffing and financing, was repealed in 1992. There have been calls to revive it since 2005.
