Parliamentary Services Act almost ready to be tabled, says Azalina

Photo: Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The draft law to revive the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) is almost ready to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

"About 90% of the work has been completed with the draft of the proposed amendments already done.

"We are waiting for the right time to table it," said the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) when replying to a question raised by Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) in Dewan Rakyat Wednesday (March 13).

Apart from new laws for the proposed PSA, Azalina said that amendments to the Federal Constitution were also needed to give Parliament greater autonomy.

"There was a PSA previously but it was repealed in 1993. It was abolished during that time as it was felt that Parliament should not be too vocal.

"We hope to give the power back to Parliament this time round so that it can be vocal.

"This is because, whoever is the government, they will be responsible to the rakyat through their elected representatives irrespective if they are backbenchers or opposition," she said.

She said that the PSA would provide greater autonomy to Parliament in terms of managing its own finances and administration.

"This will be in line with the principle of the separation of powers between the executive and legislature while upholding the doctrine of constitutionalism," she added.

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However, it was repealed during the administration under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's leadership.

Meanwhile, Azalina said she has spoken to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Senate president Senator Datuk Mutang Tagal and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the best time to table the proposed PSA and amendments to the Constitution.

"If it is possible, we would want it to be tabled simultaneously when the constitutional amendments are tabled on the citizenship law.

"This is because 148 votes or more are needed.

"I am confident that all in this House will give 222 votes to approve the amendments as it is not only for the benefit of the rakyat but also MPs," she said.

A total of 148 votes or a two-thirds majority out of 222 MPs in Dewan Rakyat is needed to amend the Federal Constitution.

Besides the PSA, the amendment to the Constitution on the citizenship law is expected to be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat meeting which ends on March 27.