KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — The Dewan Rakyat today approved a motion by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to appoint four lawmakers to the first Parliamentary Service Council established under the Parliamentary Service Act 2025.

The four lawmakers are Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) and Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam) from the government benches, and Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) from the Opposition.

The four were nominated by the Committee of Selection before the motion was tabled and approved by the Dewan Rakyat.

Under Section 3(2)(f) of the Parliamentary Service Act 2025, the power to nominate members rests with the Committee of Selection. 

This is read together with Standing Order 76 of the Dewan Rakyat, which provides for the appointment of a Committee of Selection at the beginning of every Parliament.

The committee is bipartisan and chaired by the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat.

The Anwar administration said the Parliamentary Service Act 2025 (Act 869) was intended to fulfil “a long-standing demand for institutional reform” and restore structural independence to Malaysia’s legislative branch.

The Act, according to government leaders, would make Parliamentary services independent from the public service that is mainly under executive control, with the Parliamentary Service Council given autonomy to manage internal administration, human resources, and finances. 

The Act reverses a 33-year arrangement under which Parliament’s administration, staffing and budget fell under the direct jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Department.

The Parliamentary Service Council also comprises ex-officio members, including the Director-General of Public Service, the Treasury Secretary-General, the Chief Administrator of Parliament, the Attorney General or their designated representative, and the clerks of both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.