Parliamentary Autonomy Must Not Mean Freedom From Accountability - Azalina

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 (Bernama) -- Parliament’s administrative autonomy must not be mistaken for freedom from accountability, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

She said Parliament does not stand above the Federal Constitution, while its officials remain subject to professional standards and public funds must be managed with appropriate controls.

“Parliamentary independence must not be misconstrued as freedom from accountability. This distinction is crucial. Parliamentary autonomy does not mean Parliament is above the Constitution,” she wrote in an article titled “Parliamentary Service: Leveraging Parliamentary Independence for the People.”

Azalina said the successful implementation of the Parliamentary Service Act 2025 (Act 869) should not be judged solely by the establishment of a new administrative framework.

Instead, she said its effectiveness should be measured by the extent to which Parliament becomes more professional, effective, transparent and trusted, while being better equipped to produce quality legislation and strengthen governance.

She said institutional autonomy should enhance Parliament’s capacity to conduct more comprehensive scrutiny of bills, government policies and public expenditure, ultimately benefiting the people.

Azalina stressed that Parliament belongs neither to the government nor to any political party.

“Therefore, its administration, facilities, research and committee support must serve both government and opposition Members of Parliament impartially.

“A professional parliamentary service must maintain political neutrality. Its loyalty must lie with the institution of Parliament and the Constitution, rather than with any political coalition forming the government,” she said.

Azalina said a good government should welcome a stronger Parliament, as effective scrutiny could enhance the quality of legislation and policy formulation, as well as improve the management of public funds.

She added that the reform must also be designed to endure beyond changes in government, political coalitions and the turnover of Members of Parliament.

Act 869 and the related amendments to the Federal Constitution came into effect on Oct 1, more than three decades after the Parliamentary Service Act 1963 was repealed in 1992.

-- BERNAMA