AFTER 33 years, the Parliamentary Services Act has made a historic return after the Bill for it was passed yesterday, giving more autonomy to the legislative body to manage its own operations.
The Bill, which was tabled by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said last month, was passed via voice vote after its second and third reading.
In her wrap-up speech, Azalina said, “This law is organic in nature, and we will always look to upgrade it, make amendments, because this is the law for us, the MPs. And we are the ones who make the laws.
“God willing, the issues that are brought up here will be managed by us. With the approval of this Bill, we will move towards freedom and professionalism, and function as a very effective legislative body.”
More than 35 MPs had earlier debated the Bill over a period of two days.
Among the changes brought by the Bill is that parliament now has the autonomy to directly propose their own budget to the Finance Ministry without having to go through the Prime Minister’s Department.
“The approval for Parliament’s budget will be determined by both Houses of Parliament, ensuring greater financial independence, transparency and accountability in managing its own resources,” Azalina said.
Under Clause 12, the government must allocate sufficient annual funds for parliamentary services, she added.
“This means that we must discuss the amount, but we cannot set a fixed amount, as the amount may change each year.
“This step ensures that Parliament has sufficient financial resources to carry out its functions more effectively”.
Meanwhile, the Madani Backbenchers Club (BBC) hailed the Bill as a historic institutional reform towards freedom, autonomy and accountability.
The BBC said the Bill would make Parliament more effective and be more accountable through its renewed independence from the executive branch.
“Parliament will now have full authority to enact laws, implement more effective check and balance mechanisms, and ensure meaningful discourse in the interests of the people,” said BBC chairman Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah said.
“It will be able to manage its financial resources autonomously and no longer be reliant on influence from the executive branch.
“This allows for a more transparent, efficient and needs-oriented allocation of funds for the people.”
The Parliamentary Services Bill was tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Feb 24.
Its predecessor, the Parliamentary Services Act 1966, was abolished in 1992, following which Parliament was placed under the Prime Minister’s Department with a minister supervising its administration.
