KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition wants fair representation under the Parliamentary Services Act extended to all parliamentary select committees, not just the Parliamentary Services Council.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said that while the opposition supported the Act, improvements were needed to ensure its implementation was fair and comprehensive.
"The Act has already been passed. When we discussed and debated it previously, we eventually agreed. However, we believe improvements are needed.
"For instance, some select committees take pride in being fair by appointing two members each from the government and the opposition.
"But what about the other committees?" he said at a press conference at the Parliament Media Centre here today.
Hamzah said fairness should apply to all parliamentary committees, not just the Parliamentary Services Council.
Yesterday, four MPs were appointed to the council after the Dewan Rakyat approved a motion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
They are 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 Baru).
Anwar said the Selection Committee, which met on Oct 13, had nominated the four under Section 3(2)(f) of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025, which provides for two government and two opposition MPs to sit on the council.
The Act (Act 869) came into force on Oct 1, restoring Parliament's administrative autonomy following the repeal of the Parliamentary Services Act 1963 in 1992.
It allows Parliament to manage its administration, human resources and internal affairs independently, while establishing the Parliamentary Services Council as the highest body responsible for planning and overseeing the institution's management.
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