KUALA LUMPUR – It is unreasonable and unfair to have only two opposition lawmakers in each parliamentary select committee, said Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-Pakatan Harapan) today.
In her press conference at the Parliament lobby today, she said an application letter had been submitted to speaker for his consideration to include more opposition MPs in the select committees.
“The membership of the Special Selection Committee should also be increased to at least nine people, compared to only seven representatives at this time,” she said.
Teo added that for example in the United Kingdom, the committee consists of 11 MPs, while in Canada it has nine to 15 members.
Acknowledging that she is interested in joining the Special Selection Committee, Teo hoped that her right to be a member would not be denied by anyone.
“Yes, indeed during the PH (administration) we used to limit ourselves to seven people, but at that time we had 10 select committees, compared to nine at this time.”
On November 11, the Dewan Rakyat Committee agreed to create nine select committees.
The committees are the Special Committee on Fundamental Freedoms and Rights under the Constitution; Finance and Economic Special Select Committee; Security Special Select Committee; Select Committee on Agencies under the Prime Minister’s Department and the Select Committee on Agriculture and Domestic Trade.
Also listed are the Infrastructure Development Special Select Committee; Special Education Select Committee; Health, Science and Innovation Special Select Committee; and the Special Committee on Women and Children Affairs and Social Development.
The Dewan Rakyat Committee also agreed that the terms of reference for the Special Selection Committee should contain the purpose of the establishment; total membership – seven members including the chairman, and a term of appointment of two years or two terms. – The Vibes, November 25, 2020
