Dewan Rakyat passes Parliamentary Services Bill, reviving abolished legislation

KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 — The Dewan Rakyat today passed the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025, paving the way for Parliament’s independence from the executive branch.

The passing of the Bill was announced by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul following a majority vote carried out by a collection of voices.

Its predecessor, introduced by then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman in 1963, was repealed in 1992.

Since its abolishment, Parliament has been placed under the Prime Minister’s Department, with a minister overseeing its operations and administration.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, first tabled the Bill in the Dewan Rakyat on February 24.

In her winding-up speech earlier, Azalina acknowledged that the proposed legislation before the August House is organic in nature, further pointing out that it will always be improved upon and amended accordingly.

“It is with hope that the passing of this Bill will provide the kick-start and the next step to accord more freedom and autonomy for Parliament that forms the separation of power doctrine in Malaysia’s democratic system,” she said.

The Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 aims to establish parliamentary services as a separate entity from the civil service.

The Bill also provides for the establishment of a Parliamentary Services Council (PSC) which shall have the responsibility for matters relating to the Parliamentary Service.

The functions of the PSC include:

* Appointing and determining the terms and conditions of appointment of a member of the Parliamentary Service

* Overseeing all financial matters relating to the Parliamentary Service

* Developing and conducting programmes and training relating to the Parliamentary Service

* Performing all things expedient or reasonably necessary for the management of the affairs of the Parliamentary Service.

Among others, the Bill also seeks to require the federal government to provide sufficient funds for the Parliamentary Service annually to enable the PSC to perform its functions.