Parliamentary Services Act still on the cards, says Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: The tabling of the proposed Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) Bill is still very much on the cards for this year, says Tan Sri Johari Abdul (pic).

“Yes, it is coming. We hope to see it happen. We have yet to receive the Bill but I hope the minister would come up with it, if not this sitting, probably the next sitting (meeting),” the Dewan Rakyat Speaker said during a special meeting with media practitioners on Monday (Feb 19).

Johari said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed several times that separation of powers must take place.

“That is why we are pushing for the ministers to look into it fast,” he said.

“The draft was there and all agencies involved talked about it,” he added

However, he said there are certain things to iron out with regard to the Bill.

The Parliamentary Services Act was first enacted in 1963, just a few months before the formation of Malaysia.

It allowed Parliament to act as a truly independent body, running its own affairs, selecting its staff and controlling its expenditure.

However, it was repealed in 1992.