KUALA LUMPUR ocyober 14 2026 – Four Members of Parliament (MPs) have been named to Malaysia’s inaugural Parliamentary Service Council, marking another step towards strengthening Parliament’s institutional independence.
The council is responsible for overseeing the administration, staffing and financial affairs of the Parliamentary Service under the Parliamentary Services Act 2025, which came into force on October 1, 2026.
The legislation restores a dedicated administrative structure for Parliament, allowing it to manage its own personnel and operations rather than relying entirely on the existing public service system.
The council’s membership includes representatives from both the government and opposition blocs, alongside the presiding officers and senior administrative officials from both Houses of Parliament.
Under the Act, four MPs are to be appointed, with two representing the government and two representing the opposition. Two senators are also included in the council.
The structure is intended to strengthen institutional independence and support Parliament’s role in holding the government accountable through legislative scrutiny and checks and balances.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said previously said the reform would provide parliamentary officers with greater administrative independence when carrying out their duties.
The new framework also allows existing parliamentary personnel to choose whether to remain within the public service or join the dedicated Parliamentary Service, which will have its own management structure and career pathways.
The establishment of the council represents a significant development in Malaysia’s parliamentary administration, more than three decades after the previous Parliamentary Services Act 1963 was repealed in 1992.
-FMT
