In a post on X last night, Zaid explained why he called the bill “a disaster” yesterday, and took a swipe at Syahredzan by saying there was no need to rush to introduce the Parliamentary Services Bill “if Syahredzan and his colleagues have no clear idea of what an independent and efficient Parliament is to be”.

Zaid highlighted the bill’s failure to ensure a non-partisan parliamentary council, and the lack of a proper scheme of service to ensure staff remain in the parliamentary service, rather than return to the civil service, from where they came.

“The least one would expect is an affirmation to establish a non-partisan parliamentary service. The least you would expect is that half of the council members are from the opposition,” he said.

“Unless Parliament strives to provide an equal platform to all parties, we will not have a progressive Parliament to build on.”

Zaid also raised the possibility of political party leaders filling the parliamentary service with party supporters should most of the parliamentary staff decide to return to the civil service.

“There goes the independent, non-partisan civil service in the Dewan Rakyat. Parliament will forever change to be a party headquarters,” he said.

In response to Syahredzan’s comment that Zaid appeared to be “just happy to criticise”, the former law minister said being an incessant critic was not a bad thing “if it makes some people think”, in contrast to the “rude flatterer eager to please the leader for a short pat on the back”.