KUALA LUMPUR: Strengthening autonomy, improving Parliament infrastructure and enhancing the quality of debates of MPs will be the top priority of Tan Sri Johari Abdul following the passing of the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025.
In an exclusive interview with The Star, the Dewan Rakyat Speaker said he can now breathe a sigh of relief after the Bill was passed in Parliament on Wednesday.
“The real business should be about the separation of powers.
“But external expectations are great, that now you have autonomy, what do you do with it?
“As I have said, firstly, I want to see this Parliament be one that is respected,” he said.
The Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) has made a historic return after the Bill for it was passed on Wednesday, giving more autonomy to the legislative body to manage its own operations.
The Bill, which was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said last month, was passed via a voice vote after the second and third readings.
While emphasising the need to have improved facilities in Parliament, Johari also outlined his plans to offer support for MPs to have better training and provide sufficient staff for research to improve the quality of debates in the august House.
“It should not only be physical but also substantive and they have to go hand in hand. The quality of debates, the system we run here, and the need to have qualified personnel.
“We also want ample finance and committees that function well; select committees or permanent committees; the backup services and the library,” he said, adding that at the moment, the MPs are struggling to get researchers.
He also pointed out that there are insufficient rooms for MPs.
“Three MPs are currently sharing a room ... three MPs are quite a crowd.
“So, I am thinking we should make space to cater for all this,” he said, adding that Parliament also does not have a proper banquet hall.
“Once MPs are equipped with researchers, Parliament needs to think of where to place them.
“These are among the areas I am thinking about at the moment since we are now independent, and these are our priorities.
“By next year, we should be thinking about building these areas, and also capacity-building among staffing,” he said.
Commenting on the calls made by certain MPs to provide funds under the PSA, Johari said the matter falls under the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980.
“Sometimes they misunderstand the whole concept, the PSA is not about them, the PSA is not about parliamentarians, the PSA is about the parliamentary system here, the financial system, running of Parliament and staffing,” he said.
However, with the Parliamentary Services Council under the PSA, the MPs can raise the matter there.
“We can look at it in its entirety. Their interests will be taken care of.
“Certainly, there is an issue, let’s talk about it. You have been barking up the wrong tree, but these are your concerns. Of course, we will look into them,” the Speaker said, in assuring the MPs.
Asked to comment on the calls to have the Opposition Leader or the backbencher chief in the council, Johari said there is no need to do so at the moment.
“We are not doing this for this government alone, we are doing this for the coming one.
“Now that the Prime Minister has introduced the amendments, at least we have two representatives from the Opposition clearly stated in the Bill,” he said, adding that there are other committees in Parliament in which the opposition chief or the backbencher head can take part.
“Of course, you have a lot of channels you can use, and all committees have an opposition representation. This is not just during my time but has been in place since that of other Speakers before me.
“This is because once we are on the bench, we don’t see them as the opposition or the government. As far as the Speaker is concerned, we want them to be equal,” said Johari.
