Every Malaysian must understand importance of Parliament - Expert

SHAH ALAM - Parliament is not just a building where laws are debated, it is the heart of governance that impacts the lives of Malaysians.

From laws and budgets to government accountability, the decisions made in Parliament shaped the country's future, making it crucial for citizens to understand and engage with its proceedings.

Parliamentary and institutional development specialist Maha Balakrishnan said every single product out of Parliament has an impact on the system whether it is a bill, law or budget.

"Every single product out of Parliament has an impact on the system, whether it is a bill or law, whether it is the budget, especially Parliament's powers to check how the government is doing its work," she said during Sinar Daily's Top News Podcast recently.

She said approximately 30 per cent of news stories in Malaysia originated from parliamentary proceedings, illustrating its significant influence on national affairs.

This, she said was how important Parliament was to the daily lives of the people.

"If we can strengthen Parliament and give it more resources and independence to work, I think we will see it function even better and this will ultimately benefit all of us," she added.

Maha, who is also a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia - Integrity, Governance and Anti-Corruption (APPGM-IGAC), emphasised the crucial role Malaysians and civil society played in fostering a stronger and more accountable Parliament.

She urged the public to stay informed by following the news, engaging in online discussions and voicing their opinions.

She also called on the public to pressure the government to ensure that any bill tabled, including the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA), incorporated essential elements that promoted transparency and accountability.

Maha said public engagement was critical, especially with the PSA bill expected to return to the table soon after delays.

On whether the delay in tabling the PSA bill signaled improvements, Maha expressed cautious optimism.

She expressed hope that the delay indicated the government was genuinely working to address the challenges and would present a more comprehensive bill than initially anticipated.

She said the legislative process required the bill to be reviewed by MPs and senators before becoming law.

Therefore, she urged lawmakers to take the necessary time for deliberation.

"I urge all MPs and senators to request the bill early, thoroughly review its contents and ensure it includes all the essential components discussed and if you need more time to discuss, take the time to discuss.

"There's no need to rush the passing of the bill, it is far more important to make sure to get the bill right," she added.

Ensuring transparency in parliamentary spending, she said was another critical aspect of strengthening the institution.

Maha suggested a multi-tiered accountability framework, including publicising Parliament’s accounts and subjecting them to internal and external audits.

"Other countries publish their parliamentary accounts and put them through multiple levels of review.

"We can implement a similar system here," she said adding that the Auditor General could also play a key role in auditing parliamentary expenditures.