Hot topic: Johari says the PSA will be among the Bills to be tabled by the end of the year. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star
PETALING JAYA: While some MPs laud the planned revival of the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA), which ensures the autonomy of the august House, there is mixed reaction to the proposal to dock lawmakers’ daily allowance if they do not attend meetings.
Subang MP Wong Chen said the PSA will lead to the Dewan Rakyat having financial independence and being more effective.
“We cannot continue to let the government dictate the budget of Parliament.
“If we get a government that does not respect the Federal Constitution, then it can basically cripple Parliament by starving it of funds.
“We cannot return to the days of Parliament being under the thumb of the prime minister and becoming a mere rubber stamp of the government,” he said.
He noted that it is basic good governance when Parliament officers are separated from the civil service under the PSA.
“If Parliament officers are appointed directly by the government, they will be under tremendous pressure to serve the interests of the government of the day, and that is bad governance.
“These officers are supposed to serve all parliamentarians to defend the Federal Constitution and uphold parliamentary sovereignty.”
Wong stressed the importance of passing the PSA to protect the future generation from government abuse of power and dictatorship.
“I hope the passing of the PSA will be a catalyst for more reforms in the near future, especially laws to curb corruption,” he added.
In a recent interview with The Star, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the PSA, which was repealed in 1992, will be among the Bills to be tabled by the end of the year.
He also said he is seriously considering the calls to cut MPs’ daily allowance for those who don’t spend a certain amount of time in the House in a move to deter absenteeism.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim, too, said he supports the revival of the PSA as it will enable the Parliament to be an independent institution.
“It will free Parliament of any form of control by the executive or government in respect of finances, staff or rules, and uplift the image of Parliament as one of the branches (under the separation of powers), the same as the executive and the judiciary,” he said.
Meanwhile, Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said he agreed with the proposal to cut allowances for absent MPs.
“It is to ensure accountability and be fair to MPs who are committed,” he said.
Kubang Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man pointed out that absent MPs are not entitled to an attendance allowance anyway.
“That is sufficient. Their absenteeism depends on the duties and challenges each of them has. They are usually busy with their daily duties or held back by health factors,” he said.
The PAS deputy president, however, conceded that it is important to look into the issue of MPs attending solely to have their attendance recorded and not staying for the proceedings.
“This is far more important for the Dewan Rakyat reforms as it involves the management of finances, allocations for MPs, and the Dewan Rakyat’s power and independence. It is not bound to the wishes of the ruling party or government,” he said.
Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim, in a curt reply, said the proposal is “too much” but declined to comment further.
