Parliament gets more independence: What will its new council actually do?

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Parliament is expected to scrutinise government decisions, debate laws and examine how public money is spent, but who manages the institution itself?

That question is at the heart of the Parliamentary Service Act 2025, which came into force on October 1, restoring a dedicated service intended to give Parliament greater control over its staffing, finances and administration after more than three decades under the government’s administrative structure.

The law establishes the Parliamentary Service Council to oversee the service, with the aim of strengthening Parliament’s institutional independence from the executive, which refers to the prime minister, Cabinet and government ministries.

The council came into focus on October 14, when the Dewan Rakyat approved four MPs, two from the government and two from the Opposition, to sit on it.

But what does the council actually do, who sits on it, and how far does its authority extend? Malay Mail explains.

What is the Parliamentary Service Council?

The Parliamentary Service Council is the body responsible for matters relating to the Parliamentary Service, a separate service established under the Parliamentary Service Act 2025 (Act 869).

In practical terms, it is intended to give Parliament greater say over the staff and resources needed to carry out its work, rather than leaving these matters largely dependent on administrative arrangements within the executive.

The council does not replace Parliament or take over MPs’ responsibility for debating legislation and scrutinising the government.

Instead, it oversees the administrative machinery that supports those duties.

Who sits on the council?

The council will have 16 members drawn from Parliament and the public service.

The President of the Dewan Negara serves as chairman, while the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat is co-chairman.

The other parliamentary members are the Deputy President of the Dewan Negara, two Deputy Speakers of the Dewan Rakyat, two senators and four MPs.

The four MPs must comprise two government representatives and two Opposition representatives.

They are nominated by the Dewan Rakyat’s Committee of Selection and approved through a resolution of the House.

The Dewan Rakyat on October 14 approved Ramkarpal Singh (Pakatan Harapan-Bukit Gelugor) and Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (Barisan Nasional-Simpang Renggam) as the government’s representatives, with Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (Perikatan Nasional-Beluran) and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) representing the Opposition. 

The two senators are similarly nominated by the Dewan Negara’s Committee of Selection and approved by a resolution of the Senate.

Dewan Negara president Datuk Seri Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah has said the two senators will be appointed once the Dewan Negara convenes from November 30.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has said the council is expected to be formed by December.

The council also includes the clerk to the Dewan Negara and the clerk to the Dewan Rakyat.

Its three ex-officio members are the Treasury secretary-general or a representative, the director-general of Public Service or a representative, and Parliament’s chief administrator.

Ex-officio members do not have voting rights.

That leaves 13 voting members, of whom two are Opposition MPs.

This composition brings together parliamentary leaders, government and Opposition representatives, and officials from the Treasury, the Public Service Department and Parliament’s administration.

What does the council actually do?

The Act gives the council four broad responsibilities.

First, it appoints members of the Parliamentary Service and determines their terms and conditions of appointment, subject to the applicable legal framework.

Second, it oversees financial matters relating to the service.

Third, it develops and implements training and development programmes for Parliamentary Service staff.

Fourth, it may take other steps reasonably necessary to administer the service and carry out its functions.

These responsibilities matter because Parliament needs professional staff to support its proceedings, maintain official records, assist committees and handle legislative and administrative work.

The council may also establish committees to help carry out its responsibilities.

Does the council run Parliament day to day?

Not directly, as the Act hands that job to Parliament’s chief administrator.

The chief administrator is responsible for the institution’s overall administration and management, including its day-to-day affairs and the financial matters of the Parliamentary Service.

The chief administrator acts under the council’s general authority and directions, and is also the council’s secretary.

This creates a division of responsibility: the council oversees the service and provides general direction, while the chief administrator handles its administration and daily operations.

The Act also provides for separate committees dealing with staff promotions, disciplinary matters and appeals.

How will the council make decisions?

The council must meet as often as necessary to carry out its functions.

At least seven members are required for a quorum.

Members other than ex-officio members are entitled to vote, and decisions are made by a majority of those present and voting.

If the votes are tied, the chairman has a casting vote.

The Act also requires members to disclose any direct or indirect interest in a matter being considered.

A member with such an interest cannot take part in the relevant deliberations or decision.

These provisions establish formal procedures for decision-making and help guard against conflicts of interest.

How will it make Parliament more independent?

The central idea is to give Parliament greater control over its own administrative needs, rather than relying on arrangements managed through the executive branch.

When the Parliamentary Service Bill was before Parliament in 2025, Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the service was intended to strengthen Parliament’s institutional independence and support the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

She also highlighted the need for professional support for MPs, including help with drafting legislation and access to research expertise for both government and Opposition lawmakers.

Such support could help MPs and parliamentary committees examine bills, assess government policies and scrutinise public spending more effectively.

However, the council itself does not hold the government politically accountable.

Its role is to manage the administrative support that Parliament needs to perform its oversight functions, while MPs and parliamentary committees remain responsible for carrying out that scrutiny.

Will Parliament control its own budget?

Not entirely, because the Act leaves it to the government to provide the funds.

Section 12 of the Act provides that the government must supply sufficient funds annually for the Parliamentary Service to enable the council to perform its functions.

The council is responsible for overseeing financial matters relating to the service, but the statutory provision does not itself spell out every step in the budget-submission process.

Azalina said that the intended arrangement would allow Parliament to submit budget proposals directly to the Finance Ministry without first obtaining approval from the Prime Minister’s Department.

That distinction matters: the obligation to provide sufficient funding is set out in the law, while the direct-submission procedure is part of the minister’s explanation of how the arrangement is intended to work.

Does this mean Parliament is completely separate from the civil service?

No, as the Act keeps links between the Parliamentary Service and the wider public administration.

The Act establishes the Parliamentary Service as a service separate from the general public service.

For example, Section 11 requires the Chief Administrator to be appointed from among members of the federal general public service.

The arrangement therefore gives Parliament a distinct administrative structure under the law without severing all connections with the wider public service and government financial systems.

What does this mean for accountability?

The council creates a formal structure for managing Parliament’s staff, finances and administrative resources, with rules governing appointments, training, voting and conflicts of interest.

Azalina has argued that stronger institutional support would help MPs serve as the “eyes and ears of the people”, including by enabling them to identify wastage and hold the government accountable.

But a new administrative structure alone cannot guarantee more effective scrutiny.

That will also depend on whether MPs make effective use of the support available to them, how parliamentary committees conduct their work and how well the council fulfils its responsibilities.

Ultimately, the council’s significance lies in helping Parliament manage the resources it needs to do its job, while leaving the responsibility for questioning the government and holding it accountable with MPs and parliamentary committees.