PETALING JAYA: A coalition of 55 civil societies, together with 35 key figures, are calling for the Parliamentary Services Bill to be tabled.
In a statement on Thursday (Feb 20), the group urged that the Bill should grant autonomy to the parliamentary institution, administration and finance, in line with the Madani's government effort, to reform parliament and implement effective reforms.
Among the members of the coalition are Bersih, Undi 18, Ideas, Rasuah Busters, G25 Malaysia and the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism.
Key individuals include former minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, former Bar Council president Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and constitutional expert Prof Datuk Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi.
Among the calls include amendments to Article 65 of the Federal Constitution, which is related to the appointments of the secretaries of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
"These positions must be protected under the Constitution and be subject to nomination through a selection process by an independent Parliament Service Commission, formed under the new Parliament Service Act," said the group.
It also called for the position of the Parliament Chief Administrator as the head of the Parliament Service, as enshrined in the new Parliament Services Act, which should be open and free from public service (executive) influence.
They proposed establishing an independent Parliamentary Services Commission to oversee these appointments.
It also wants a Parliamentary Services Council, led by the speakers of both Houses and supported by a cross-party group of MPs.
"Should the Bill fail to meet international standards for parliament service laws, we call for the Bill to be sent to a Special Parliamentary Select Committee for a review under Standing Order 54, of the Dewan Rakyat.
"We also demand that the Bill or the main proposals be made public for further review by other stakeholders," it said.
