Kuala Lumpur: The introduction of the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 is necessary to ensure that Parliament functions independently from the executive branch and can carry out its duties like other similar institutions in developed countries. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said highlighted the importance of this bill during the debate at the Dewan Rakyat.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azalina stated that the bill would ensure the establishment of a specific civil service under the Parliamentary Services Council. This move aims to strengthen Malaysian democracy by enhancing the Parliamentary institution. She emphasized that the council would be responsible for all parliamentary services, including restructuring the organization to improve administrative efficiency.

Azalina further explained that two Dewan Negara and four Dewan Rakyat members, two from both the government and opposition, would be selected to join the council. The bill provisions also include professional aid, such as law drafting and researcher preparation for MPs from both government and opposition blocs.

The bill mandates the government to channel sufficient funds annually for both Houses. Azalina added that Parliament now possesses the autonomy to submit budget suggestions directly to the Finance Ministry as its financial trustee, eliminating the need for approval from the Prime Minister’s Department.

The Parliamentary Services Act 2025 had its first reading in Dewan Rakyat on February 24. Its predecessor, the Parliamentary Services Act 1966, was abolished in 1992, which resulted in Parliament being placed under the Prime Minister’s Department with a minister supervising its administration.