SENATORS HAIL MOVE TO MAKE PARLIAMENT A FULLY INDEPENDENT BODY

KUALA LUMPUR, March 20 (Bernama) -- The government's initiative to restore Parliament as an independent and sovereign institution marks a significant step in strengthening its role as a fully functional, authoritative, and autonomous legislative body.

Several Senate members believe this move will enhance the separation of powers between the legislative, judiciary, and executive branches in Malaysia.

Senator Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol said the doctrine of separation of powers ensures authority is not concentrated in a single individual or body to prevent abuse.

"The mandate for the separation of powers is enshrined in Article 121 for the judiciary, Article 39 for the executive and Article 44 for the legislature.

"However, the legislative branch has not yet gained full autonomy, as its finances and human resources are still governed by the executive branch," she said in her debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the Dewan Negara today.

The bill seeks to restore and reinforce the Parliamentary Services Act after 33 years of repeal. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled the bill for its second reading today before the Senate later passed the bill.

Senator Susan Chemerai Anding, in supporting the bill, said that while Parliament possesses independence, authority, and freedom, it still depends on the executive branch for financial and administrative matters.

"Due to this, it cannot be considered fully independent of the executive branch. This situation could result in Parliament losing its credibility, which would undoubtedly be detrimental to democracy and parliamentary sovereignty," she said in her debate.

She also proposed strengthening the check-and-balance role of the Dewan Negara by increasing its membership, currently at 58 senators, compared to the 222 members in the Dewan Rakyat.

The Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 was later tabled for its second reading by the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. The bill, among other things, seeks to establish a Parliamentary Service with autonomous powers to determine policies and governance for the Malaysian Parliament.

Senator Datuk A. Kesavadas, while debating the bill, said to ensure the Parliamentary Services Council operates with full transparency and avoids abuse of power, a Joint Oversight Committee should be established.

"We cannot allow the Parliamentary Services Council to operate as an unchecked entity, even in its affairs. The solution is to create a Joint Oversight Committee made up of Dewan Rakyat and Senate members," he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim proposed implementing an independent monitoring system to ensure that expenditures benefit Parliament's functions and the people.

He also proposed that Parliament adopt the latest technology in its financial systems to enhance transparency, streamline monitoring processes, and ensure that it has a workforce that is competent, professional, and of high integrity.

The bill was later passed with a majority voice vote.

-- BERNAMA