Parliamentary services council to include 2 opposition reps

Parliamentary services council to include 2 opposition reps

A parliamentary committee will make the appointments tomorrow, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar Ibrahim
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government had agreed to change the parliamentary services council’s membership after engaging the opposition. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
The government has agreed to appoint two senators and four MPs, including two opposition representatives, to the parliamentary services council.

Bernama reported Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as saying earlier that a parliamentary committee would make the appointments tomorrow if the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, which forms the foundation of the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025, was passed in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“I was made to understand there is a proposal to improve the membership of the parliamentary services council. This can be done without amending the bill by using Standing Order 76 of the Dewan Rakyat.

“According to legal advisers, this is sufficient to ensure not only the council’s independence, but also opposition representation (in the council).

“Hence, after several engagement events, including with the opposition, the government has agreed to make an amendment to the council’s membership tomorrow if this bill is passed,” he said when tabling the bill for its second reading.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed today after its second and third readings.

Anwar said the bill was not just a minor amendment, but also an effort to strengthen the doctrine of separation of powers and ensure Parliament functioned as a truly independent, authoritative and competent legislative body.

“The beauty of the concept of separation of powers lies in its balance. Without excessive control by any party, justice can be upheld, freedom preserved and power not abused. This is the foundation of a transparent and integrity-driven nation,” he said.

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