KUALA LUMPUR:The re-introduction of the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) will "unshackle" Parliament from the budgetary and administrative controls of the executive, a government backbencher said.
Subang member of parliament Wong Chen described the PSA as a crucial law aimed at re-establishing the fundamental principle of separation of powers.
Wong alleged that when the PSA was repealed by then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1992, it had contributed to the rise of "executive authoritarianism", besides the abuse of power and corrupt practices over the last few decades.
"The primary job of members of parliament is to defend the Federal Constitution on behalf of their constituents.
"This means ensuring the government is clean and accountable, and does not abuse its powers and become authoritarian.
"The PSA will enable Parliament to check government powers and prevent corruption and abuses," he told the New Straits Times.
Wong was asked to comment on the announcement by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department M. Kulasegaran that an improved version of the PSA will be reintroduced in Parliament this October.
Kulasegaran had added that the reintroduction of the PSA would come with improvements, underscoring the need for parliamentary independence from the executive and judiciary branches.
Asked about the improved PSA, Wong said the bill draft had not been shown to MPs.
He nevertheless hoped that the improved PSA would ensure that officers of Parliament served the interests of MPs and not the executive.
He also hoped that the improved PSA would allow Parliament to have enough financial independence and resources to be truly effective.
"For too long Parliament has been severely restricted by limited resources," he said.
Wong also said it was important that the PSA is tabled before the 2025 Budget is passed.
"This is so that the PSA will have an effective budget to empower Parliament to provide checks and balances to Executive powers.
"If the PSA is passed after the 2025 Budget, then we hope that the government will make a special PSA contingent budget for 2025," he said.