Parliamentary Services Act 2025 strengthens Parliament’s administrative independence, with legal experts proposing reforms to improve autonomy and accountability
KUALA LUMPUR: The government’s move to relinquish executive control over the administration of Parliament after more than three decades through the enforcement of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 will strengthen the administrative autonomy of the Malaysian Parliament, according to a legal expert.
International Islamic University Malaysia law lecturer Associate Professor Dr Khairil Azmin Mokhtar said the Act would allow matters concerning the appointment, recruitment and administration of parliamentary officers to be managed more independently, while clarifying the principle of separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches.
He said that previously, parliamentary administration was subject to the federal public service structure following the repeal of the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 in 1992.
“This is a proper step and a continuation of efforts to strengthen Parliament as one of the pillars of the country, based on the doctrine of separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches,” he told Bernama.
Khairil Azmin said the establishment of the Parliamentary Service Council (MPP) and the position of Chief Administrator of Parliament were important components in streamlining service management and reducing bureaucracy.
He also opined that administrative autonomy could potentially improve the quality of debates and decisions by Members of Parliament through access to quality research, data and information.
“Members of Parliament need quality data, information and research findings before making decisions. This is where parliamentary officers are important, as they provide the necessary support,” he said.
Meanwhile, he proposed four improvements to the Act, namely detailing the scope of parliamentary services; empowering the MPP to create new positions; strengthening financial autonomy; and enhancing accountability.
He said detailing the categories of officers and the power to create new positions was important to meet administrative needs and expand career opportunities.
Khairil Azmin also proposed that the MPP be given room to submit its own budget proposals to reduce dependence on the Ministry of Finance’s decisions, while the position of Chief Administrator of Parliament should be filled by an officer from the parliamentary service itself.
He also suggested that annual reports be made mandatory for tabling in Parliament and that an oversight mechanism through Parliamentary Select Committees be established to enhance transparency and accountability.
Earlier, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the MPP was expected to be fully operational by December after the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 came into force on Oct 1.
The MPP will be co-chaired by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker and Dewan Negara President, with 16 members.
On Oct 14, the Dewan Rakyat passed a motion to appoint four Members of Parliament to the MPP, namely Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam), Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu).
The motion was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim under Section 3(2)(f) of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the decision by the Anwar-led government to relinquish executive control over the administration of Parliament was a significant achievement in strengthening the institution’s independence after 33 years.