In a statement, party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said he had stressed that the opposition played a key role in ensuring a functioning Parliament through legislative scrutiny and government oversight.

He added that he and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim had emphasised that the opposition was also part of the legislative branch of the Federal Constitution.

Lim said the exclusion of opposition representation in the special committee was an abuse of power and a “dangerous precedent” that violated parliamentary convention.

He also proposed former deputy speaker and Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming as Pakatan Harapan’s representative in the committee.

The Bagan MP’s comments come after Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim said the special committee would comprise of himself and his deputy, the speaker and deputy speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department and the chief administrator of Parliament, among others.

Lim said the opposition leader and his representatives were not included in the list.

“Neither is there any involvement by the Parliament standing order committee, established under the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders 78, to determine any amendments to the Standing Orders,” he said.