Parliamentary Services Act Fulfills MADANI Govt’s Reform Pledge, Says PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the implementation of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 as a decisive step by the MADANI Government toward fulfilling its democratic reform commitments, including voluntarily limiting executive powers traditionally held by the government.

Speaking at the Malaysian Parliament’s Administrative Transition and Institutional Reform ceremony on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Anwar emphasized that the act serves as a core pillar of the national reform agenda, designed to restore parliamentary independence and foster greater democratic maturity.

The ceremony at the Parliament Building was attended by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Dewan Negara President Senator Datuk Seri Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

Recounting the historical trajectory of parliamentary governance, Anwar noted that legislative independence was first introduced in the 1960s before being repealed in 1992. He framed the reinstatement of the Parliamentary Services Act as a necessary restoration to align Malaysia with modern democratic principles.

Professional Standards, Quality Debates, and Parliamentary Appointments

The Prime Minister outlined expectations for lawmakers and parliamentary administration under the revived framework:

• Executive Self-Limitation: Anwar highlighted that passing the Parliamentary Services Act fulfills a central election pledge to reduce direct government executive control over parliamentary management.
• Staff Professionalism & Capability: The autonomy granted under the act allows Parliament to independently develop administrative staff, manage its budget, and recruit professional personnel.
• Elevated Quality of Debate: The Prime Minister called on both government and opposition MPs to match Parliament’s institutional elevation by raising the quality, decorum, and substance of legislative debates.
• Bipartisan Cooperation: Anwar stressed that institutional independence requires responsible execution, urging all parliamentarians to respect the statutory limits and constitutional duties embedded within the democratic system.
• Parliamentary Services Council Appointments: Earlier during the Dewan Rakyat session, a motion tabled by Anwar passed by a majority vote to nominate four MPs to the council under Section 3(2)(f) of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025. The bipartisan line-up comprises Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor), Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad (BN-Simpang Renggam), Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), and Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu).

The implementation of the act marks the completion of key governance reforms initiated to separate legislative administration from civil service executive oversight.

–NMT