“The reforms will also provide a platform where they can ask questions directly to the ministers,” Azalina said in a statement today.

In welcoming the parliamentary reforms, the Pengerang MP said the government was also committed to ensuring its success.

She also revealed the government had reviewed all the proposals for the reforms and agreed with three of the four tabled at a Cabinet meeting on Jan 20.

“The government does not intend to interfere with the Dewan Rakyat’s powers. Instead, we want to smoothen the process.”

Earlier today, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia announced several initiatives, including a special session called “Ministers’ Question Time” where Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Cabinet members will be required to answer questions posed to them by MPs from both sides of the political divide.

The other two proposed reforms are a Special Chamber to debate matters of urgent public importance, and a shortened period for MPs to submit questions they wished to present to the House, from 14 days to 10.

The fourth is still being debated by the Cabinet and concerns a suggestion to form new committees over and above existing ones.