Nga: Busy time ahead for MPs as parliamentary reforms begin

IPOH: It will be a very busy time ahead for all Members of Parliament because the parliamentary reforms will start, says Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Nga Kor Ming.

MPs will be given more responsibilities to conduct checks and balances with the setting up of a Dewan Rakyat Select Committee.

“They will be tasked with duties to ensure proper governance with effectiveness and integrity in every ministry.

“They must up their ante and knowledge, and be well prepared before each sitting and debate,” he said after opening the Kapayang assemblyman Dr Ko Chung Sen’s service centre in Jalan Teh Hawa here on Saturday.

He added that the Government was also considering amendments to the Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Orders for the select committee to have similar powers as the Public Accounts Committee – to call for witnesses and documents relevant to its investigations during hearings.

Nga said that the Government was committed to reintroducing the Parliamentary Services Act 1963.

The Act, which was repealed in 1992, empowers Parliament to oversee its administrative affairs while guaranteeing MPs parliamentary privileges and freedom of speech.

“It is the right thing for this Act to be revived now in order for Parliament to have its own autonomy in conducting checks and balances on the executive power,” he said.

Earlier, it was reported that nine agencies are operating as independent entities and reporting directly to the Parliament.

Among them are the Election Commission, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia and the National Audit Department.

Others included the Public Prosecutors Office, the Public Service Commission, the Education Service Commission and the Judicial Appointments Commission.