The motion on parliamentary transformation, tabled by senator Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, was unanimously approved after being debated by 12 members.

Winding up the debate on the motion, deputy law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the government was studying a new draft bill to create a Parliamentary Services Act.

She said all efforts to implement the proposal were based on the principle of separation of powers in accordance with the spirit of democracy in recognising the three branches of government – the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

“As such, the Parliamentary Services Act is very much needed for all of us to maintain and restore public trust,” she said.

Earlier, when tabling the motion, Zahid said with the establishment of the joint select committee, the role of Parliament in fighting for the people would be more effective.

He said meeting rules for both the Dewan Rakyat and the Dewan Negara should also be amended and improved to cover all aspects on the conduct of meetings and in upholding the code of ethics for lawmakers.

In addition, he said the number of senators according to the state appointment quota had never been amended and increased since it was first introduced in 1959.

“The needs, voices and problems of the people in 1959 are not the same nor as complex as they are now in the 21st century.

“The number needs to be reviewed and increased from 70 to 116, where there should be four representatives from each state and at least 60 people appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.