KUALA LUMPUR: "This is your show, this is your Parliament," Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said told MPs, following the formation of the Parliamentary Services Council.
During a parliamentary briefing today, Azalina said Parliament was now responsible for managing its own affairs, adding that MPs should direct concerns over fairness to the council's representatives.
"I, as the minister in charge, can no longer be held responsible for Parliament. Everything is executed by those within this House," she said.
The issue of parliamentary allocations sparked a heated exchange, with Arau MP Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim questioning whether Opposition MPs would receive their fair share.
"Parliament should manage allocations for MPs, not the prime minister. The prime minister should no longer interfere, as we now have Parliament," he said, calling for allocations to be transferred from the Prime Minister's Department to Parliament.
"The Speaker becomes the boss. You are our leader now, so how can you lead us without ensuring fairness? We are not receiving allocations," he said, referring to Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Shahidan also questioned how the new law would guarantee equal allocations for all MPs, claiming that Opposition lawmakers had yet to receive any.
Kampar MP Chong Zhemin interjected, saying allocations fell under the Executive's authority.
"Arau, I think Arau is confused. That is Executive power!" Chong said.
Johari urged the two MPs to sit down, reminding the House that Parliament had been under the Executive for 33 years, including when Shahidan was a minister.
"Now we understand how crucial it is that Parliament must be free and independent. Thus, we are now free, and today we must be spirited in ensuring our credibility is not tarnished," he said.
Johari said the newly formed council should be given time to deliberate on the matter, with representatives from both the government and Opposition first consulting their respective sides.
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