Future committees at stake if narrow, regressive approach maintained: civil society groups

KUALA LUMPUR – Civil society groups have called out against the present “narrow and regressive” approach of requiring the Dewan Rakyat’s reference prior to studying issues by a parliamentary special select committee (PSSC), which will negatively impact the effectiveness of future committees.

In a statement today, the Seed Community for a Professional Parliament said that for a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to function effectively, standing orders and terms of reference for the PSSC should be understood as having been mandated by the Dewan Rakyat. 

The statement, signed by a total of seven organisations, was made in reference to the postponement of the PSSC proceedings scheduled for yesterday to discuss the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki’s debacle due to “several legal issues”. 

It noted that several parties had suggested that a motion from the Dewan Rakyat is required to refer issues to the PSC before the committee could inquire on Azam Baki’s case. 

In response, the coalition pointed out that the Dewan Rakyat had on November 11, 2020 passed a motion to form PSCs and had given a mandate to the PSC for Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department (PMD). 

“The mandate by the Dewan Rakyat allows a PSC to scrutinise the implementation of policies and operations related to agencies under the PMD such as MACC and its members,” it said.

It added that a broad interpretation should be applied to understand that PSCs have been empowered to determine the issues that need to be studied or investigated. 

“There is therefore no need for a reference from the Dewan Rakyat for each issue, because the mandate has already been broadly given. 

“At the same time, this will also defeat the purpose of the establishment of the PSCs itself to functionally oversee agencies under the PMD,” it said, adding that the effectiveness of PSCs will be negatively affected if a Dewan Rakyat reference is required for each and every issue. 

The statement was signed by the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Undi18, Bait Al-Amanah, the Institute for Political Reform and Democracy, Wisdom Foundation, and Engage. – The Vibes, January 20, 2022