DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim today took 57 opposition MPs to task for failing to support the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The tabling of the Bill was to pave the way for the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 to be tabled and debated at the Dewan Rakyat.
The bill was passed after receiving support from 148 MPs through bloc voting.
Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said 17 MPs were not present, while 57 others abstained.
According to the Prime Minister's senior press secretary, Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, Anwar viewed the decision of the Opposition MPs as a betrayal of efforts to reform Parliament.
"The prime minister described this as an act of treachery against the reform agenda.
"However, it is not surprising as the same group had previously undermined parliamentary democracy by blocking Dewan Rakyat sittings," he said during the Prime Minister's Office daily briefing.
Earlier, during the winding-up of the Bill’s debate, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the amendments made are the first step to providing financial and administrative autonomy to the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, the pillars of Parliament.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the Federal Constitution, including revising Articles 56 and 57 by inserting several new Clauses.
The clause states that a person elected as Dewan Negara president and Dewan Rakyat speaker, as well as their deputies, shall not be disqualified from holding the position due to their membership in the Parliamentary Service Commission established under federal law, provided that the elected member does not receive any remuneration, gifts, profits, or benefits from it.
The Bill is also central to the establishment of the Parliamentary Service, a new body aimed at separating Parliament from the civil service.
It proposes that Parliament gain full control over its own administration, staffing, and budget allocation.
Anwar also thanked MPs who backed the amendment, which he said marked a crucial step in strengthening democracy, allowing Parliament to function more independently and upholding freedom of speech.
"With the support of two-thirds of MPs, this is clear proof of the strength and stability of the Madani government under the Prime Minister's leadership," Tunku Nashrul said. – March 4, 2025
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