JULY 17 — Professional inputs in our legislatures — the Federal Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies — are indeed essential, particularly, in scrutinising legislation and conducting inquiries, as well as informing government policy.
These inputs can come from several “engagement” channels, the first and arguably the most effective is parliamentary select committees.
For these committees to do their job well, they need professional and expert inputs on the specific issues they are tasked to inquire into — more so when the issues are complex.
Academics, industry professionals, scientists, and policy experts can be invited to testify in committee sessions. These are called oral or formal evidence.
Otherwise, these professionals and experts can submit detailed written evidence, which will be published and used by the select committees to shape their reports and recommendations.
This can be seen in the report of the parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) to consider the Constitution (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2026. Read the report here.
There is another channel called deliberative engagement. How to go about it? Watch this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvp3J8RlxyE
There is therefore reason to question whether amendments to the Constitution, Federal or State, to allow the appointment of unelected members of the legislature aimed at bringing in professionals and experts, is necessary.
As the classic jazz song goes: It ain’t necessarily so. (Listen to the cover by Aretha Franklin here.)
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
