KUALA LUMPUR: Limiting executive powers through the Parliamentary Services Act reflects the government’s pledge to strengthen Parliament’s independence, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the reform reflects a brave and stern political will to change.
“These are among the important milestones of the Madani administration when it comes to implementing reforms, namely introducing and passing the Parliamentary Services Act, which will limit the executive’s powers over Parliament,” he said during the Malaysian Parliament's Administrative Transition and Institutional Reform Ceremony on Wednesday (Oct 14).
Anwar also said the Parliamentary Services Act reflects the maturity of democracy and Parliament.
“Democracy is a long process and what determines its success is the readiness of leaders to make reforms, and this too requires support from MPs from the frontbench, backbench and Opposition,” he said.
The Prime Minister also said the reforms would pave the way for improved quality of debates in Parliament in line with its new powers.
He acknowledged that Malaysia's parliamentary system had long favoured the government, despite previous efforts to establish greater institutional autonomy.
In his speech, Anwar also congratulated Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bahru) and Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) for being appointed to the Parliamentary Service Council.
When tabling the motion in the Dewan Rakyat earlier, Anwar said the selection committee, which met on Tuesday (Oct 13), nominated the four under Section 3(2)(f) of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025, which provides for two government and two Opposition MPs to sit on the council.
The motion was passed without debate after Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said both sides had agreed to the nominees.
This follows the Act and related amendments to the Federal Constitution coming into force on Oct 1.
