PSC meetings should be aired live, says health think tank

 

Galen CEO Azrul Mohd Khalib says the public should have access to proceedings of the parliament select committees.

PETALING JAYA: Parliament committee meetings should be broadcast live to ensure participation of the public in the democratic process, says the head of a health think tank.

Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO of the Galen Centre for Health and Social Policy, said while most of the attention would be on the Dewan Rakyat meeting, it is equally important to ensure that the deliberations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation come under public scrutiny.

He said the committee meetings should be made accessible to the public through live-streaming.

“The broadcast, and later live-streaming, of Malaysia’s parliamentary sessions have played important roles in developing and growing the public’s interest and participation in our democracy,” he said in a statement today.

Azrul Mohd Khalib.

“The discussions and debates in the parliamentary chamber were previously only accessible through media reports, and to those brave enough to go through the parliamentary records, the Hansard.

“Today, these exchanges can be followed live on TV, computer screens and mobile phones as they unfold, with all the sound, fire and passion of the parliamentary debaters.

“That same approach to transparency, accountability and public engagement should be brought to the proceedings of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation.”

Azrul said it was unacceptable that the people can have access to US Senate committee hearings, the UK Parliament’s select committee meetings and certain select committee hearings from Singapore, but could not get the same access for Malaysia.

“We can even watch New Zealand’s parliamentary select committee meetings on Facebook Live. Yet, we are unable to do the same here.

“We should be able to gain access to the Malaysian Parliament’s select committee meetings as befitting the example of a modern and progressive democratic country of the 21st century.

“Asking for the proceedings to be live-streamed for public viewing is reasonable and urgently needed. If the Standing Orders need to be amended to accommodate this, it should be done so immediately. No ifs, buts or caveats,” he said.

On July 5, the Prime Minister’s Office announced a five-day meeting of Parliament from July 26 to brief MPs on the national recovery plan.

The Dewan Negara will sit for three days from Aug 3. - FMT