PETALING JAYA: The Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) aims to support Members of Parliament (MP) in executing various responsibilities and to ensure better governance, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the PSA aims to create the institutional capacity necessary for Parliament to perform its constitutional role.
"Parliamentary Service supports and facilitates MPs and senators in executing various responsibilities.
"These included debating legislation, evaluating government policies, scrutinising public expenditure, participating in Select Committees, and representing millions of Malaysians," she said in a statement on Monday (Oct 5).
Azalina said these tasks require both political commitment and institutional capability.
"This is the real purpose of the PSA. It is not about creating another bureaucracy," she added.
Azalina said a professional Parliamentary Service must maintain political impartiality.
"Its allegiance should be directed towards the institution and the Constitution, rather than any political coalition that may form the government.
"A stronger Parliament can help deliver a more effective and accountable government.
"Some may ask whether a stronger Parliament makes governing more difficult. The answer should be that a good government should welcome a stronger Parliament.
"Effective scrutiny does not necessarily obstruct government; it can improve it," she added.
She said a minister who is aware that legislation will undergo thorough examination is motivated to draft superior legislation.
"Similarly, a ministry whose policies are subject to evidence-based parliamentary scrutiny is encouraged to enhance its policy development.
"A government whose expenditures are rigorously assessed is incentivised to allocate public funds more efficiently.
"Parliamentary scrutiny is not the enemy of effective government; it is one of its safeguards," she added.
Azalina said Parliament serves the people, and its administration must support the whole institution impartially.
"Parliament is institutionally distinct from the Executive, and its administrative autonomy must operate within the Federal Constitution.
"It does not belong to the government in power or any political party.
"The government and the opposition are expected to hold differing views, as this is a core characteristic of parliamentary democracy," she added.
She said the PSA establishes a Parliamentary Service Council with responsibility for appointments, financial oversight and staff development.
"Its membership includes representatives from both Houses, including government and opposition members of the Dewan Rakyat.
"This gives the principle of parliamentary autonomy a practical administrative foundation," she said, adding that parliamentary independence must never be confused with freedom from accountability.
"Parliamentary autonomy does not mean Parliament is above the Constitution; parliamentary officers remain subject to professional standards, and public funds must be managed with proper controls," she added.
Azalina said institutional reforms should be structured to endure beyond political cycles.
"The greatest test of this reform will come not when Parliament is politically stable, but when political circumstances change.
"Governments, coalitions, Opposition parties, members change but Parliament remains," she said.
"The Parliamentary Service framework ought to be evaluated independently of current political beneficiaries.
"We must assess both this institution's present effectiveness and its capacity to benefit Malaysia in the next 20, 30, or 50 years," she added.
