4 MPs named to inaugural parliamentary service council

Four MPs have been appointed to the inaugural parliamentary service council following a motion tabled by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

They comprise two MPs each from the government and opposition blocs: Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam), Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) and Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu).

The motion was passed by a voice vote in the Dewan Rakyat today, after the four MPs were nominated by Parliament’s selection committee which met yesterday.

Under the Parliamentary Service Act 2025, the four MPs will have a say in decisions involving parliamentary staff appointments, pay, working conditions, finances and training.

They will have one vote each on the council, which will make decisions by a simple majority.

The council will be jointly chaired by the Dewan Rakyat speaker and Dewan Negara president. Other members include deputy speakers, senators as well as senior government and parliamentary officials.

The Act, which came into force on Oct 1, gives Parliament greater control over its own affairs, reducing its reliance on the Prime Minister’s Department in the management of staff, finances and administration.

The government said the changes would allow parliamentary staff to work more independently, particularly when helping parliamentary committees question senior government officials.

The law restores a system introduced in 1963 but abolished in 1992, when Parliament’s administration was placed under the government.