Malaysian parliamentary delegation visits UK, Ireland to enhance expertise

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul is leading a delegation from the Malaysian Parliament on an official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland from April 23 to May 2.

The Malaysian Parliament, in a statement, said the purpose of the visit was to deepen understanding of parliamentary governance, foster cooperation, and strengthen relations between the Parliaments of the UK, Ireland, and Malaysia.

It said among the parliamentarians involved are the chairman of the Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections and Institutional Reform, William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang); member of the Special Select Committee on Environment, Science and Plantation Rodiyah Sapiee (GPS-Batang Sadong) and member of the Special Select Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Communication Khairil Nizam Khirudin (PN-Jerantut).

During the programme, the delegation would participate in a series of discussions, workshops and meetings aimed at enhancing their knowledge and skills in parliamentary affairs.

In the UK, the Dewan Rakyat Speaker would meet and engage with his UK counterpart, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and the chief executive of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Stephen Twigg.

In Ireland, Johari would pay a courtesy visit to the country’s President, Michael D. Higgins, and meet with the Speaker of Dail Eireann (lower house of the Irish Parliament), Sean O Fearghail, as well as the Speaker of Seanad Éireann (upper house), Senator Jerry Buttimer.

Additionally, Johari would deliver a public lecture titled “Asean-UK in the Asian Century” to students at Lancaster University and strengthen efforts in bilateral dialogue and expertise exchange between academics and parliamentarians.

"This visit is part of the ongoing efforts of the Malaysian Parliament to enhance expertise, international cooperation and the cultivation of democratic values," according to the statement. – Bernama