KUALA LUMPUR — The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 to pave the way for a new proposed federal law, the Parliamentary Services Bill.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill was passed after receiving support from 148 Members of Parliament (MPs) through bloc voting. 57 MPs abstained, while 17 MPs were not present.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 aims to amend, among others, Article 56 and Article 57 of the Federal Constitution by inserting a new Clause (5A).
The clause states that a person elected to be the President of the Senate and the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, does not lose their eligibility to hold the position due to their membership in the Parliamentary Services Council.
This council will be established under the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 to bring about institutional reform and greater independence for Parliament.
The Parliamentary Services Bill was tabled for second reading at the Dewan Rakyat today. It was tabled for the first reading on Feb 24.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the Parliamentary Services Bill will provide financial and administrative autonomy to the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, the two Houses of Parliament.
Greater autonomy will be seen in, for example, the appointments and promotions of Dewan Rakyat and the Senate secretaries, which will be decided by Parliament itself and not the executive.
“We don’t know how long we will govern, so we want an independent Parliament, and we need to be responsible as MPs. When Parliament is independent, it won’t be easily dissolved,” Azalina said.
The Parliamentary Services Bill is aimed at ensuring the separate and independent function of Parliament free from the executive.
The Parliamentary Services Council, provided for under the bill, will govern the forming of a “specific civil service” for Parliament, and be fully responsible for all parliamentary services, including restructuring and administration.
Two Dewan Negara and four Dewan Rakyat members, two from both the government and opposition, will be picked to join the council.
“The provisions in the bill also sets that administration of parliamentary services will encompass professional aid such as the drafting of laws and preparation of researchers for MPs, both from the government and opposition blocs,” Azalina said.
The bill also stipulates that the government needs to set an obligation to channel sufficient funds for both Houses annually, Azalina said.
“Parliament will have the autonomy to submit suggested budgets directly to the Finance Ministry as its financial trustee without requiring the approval of the Prime Minister’s Department,” she added.
Malaysia used to have a Parliamentary Services Act 1963, but it was abolished in 1992, following which Parliament was placed under the Prime Minister’s Department with a minister supervising its administration.
From Malaya’s independence in 1957 to 1963, Parliament had managed its own administrative affairs and resources without the Act. The act was introduces during the administration of the country’s first Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, to grant autonomous power to Parliament.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recounted the history of the previous Parliamentary Services Act, saying it abolished in 1992 to create broader career opportunities for parliamentary staff and provide space for experienced officers to manage the institution.
However, this resulted in the erosion of Parliament’s autonomy, he said.
“Now, after 33 years, the Madani Government is bringing the country’s administration back on the right track with the drafting of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025, which will enable Parliament to function as a truly independent and sovereign institution.
“With strengthened autonomy, Parliament will be able to carry out its duties more effectively, safeguard the interests of the people, and maintain balance in the country’s administrative system,” he said.
Anwar said the separation of powers is not just a basic principle in democracy but also a symbol of a fair and effective administrative system.
Thus, he said that with the proposed two Bills, the independence of Parliament is not only strengthened but also marks a major success in the country’s institutional reform efforts. – March 4, 2025