Revived PSA almost complete

The draft law to Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) is in its final stages of preparation, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman.

“There was a PSA previously but it was repealed in 1993. It was abolished during that time as it was felt that Parliament should not be too vocal, ” Azlina said.

“About 90% of the work has been completed with the draft of the proposed amendments already done.

“We are waiting for the right time to table it,” she said when responding to a question raised by Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub) in Dewan Rakyat Wednesday (March 1).

“We hope to give the power back to Parliament this time round so that it can be vocal.

“This is because, whoever is the government, they will be responsible to the rakyat through their elected representatives irrespective if they are backbenchers or opposition,” she said.

Azalina suggested aligning the tabling of the PSA with the constitutional citizenship amendment, to secure votes. She is optimistic about gaining support from all 222 MPs.

The Parliamentary Services Act debuted in 1963, just ahead of Malaysia’s birth, empowering Parliament with autonomy in staffing and finances. Yet, it was axed during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure as prime minister.