A BILL aimed at reinstating the Parliament Service Act (PSA) is on the agenda for the upcoming October session of the Parliament.
Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has revealed that the cabinet is preparing to carefully examine the proposed Bill in the near future, according to news portal The Star.
“The proposal was initiated by me when I was (law) minister during the previous administration,” said Wan Junaidi.
During the period between August 2021 and October 2022, Wan Junaidi served as the law and parliament affairs minister under former premier Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration.
He added that the draft Bill was finally completed on Friday (Aug 25), marking a significant milestone.
“It marks the first real step for the PSA to be revived after 30 years.”
The PSA was a law that granted Parliament the authority to manage its internal affairs, which encompassed the selection of top administrative personnel as well as financial matters, without requiring approval from Putrajaya.
In 1992, during the administration of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, this law was abolished.
Moreover, Wan Junaidi outlined the formation of a council that would consist of representatives from various ministries and lawmakers. This council would be responsible for overseeing all matters pertaining to parliamentary affairs.
“My promise to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is that I will get the Bill tabled by this October. Once the law is passed and comes into force, a six-month transition will be given for its implementation,” he affirmed.
The former Santubong MP further elaborated that once the Bill is successfully passed and enacted, a six-month transition period will be provided for its implementation. The transition period will allow current Parliament staff to decide whether they will continue to work for Parliament or the civil service. – Aug 25, 2023
Main photo credit: Bernama
