PSC reforms can offer better solutions to the public - speaker

 

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul today said reforms made to the functions of the 10 special Parliamentary Select Committees (PSCs) will expand their role to assist the government in addressing issues identified under their terms of reference.

Specifically, Johari said the approved reforms include dedicated funding from Parliament, two full-time researchers or staff, providing working space, and expanding the committees' powers to conduct their affairs.

"Under the terms which have been agreed upon, they can directly liaise with any related parties.

"We hope that these committees can assist the cabinet to resolve various problems from time to time.

"I'm confident that the role played by these PSC chiefs and their members can offer a better solution for the people, and hopefully long-standing matters can now be resolved," Johari said during a press conference at his office after a meeting with nine out 10 PSC chiefs.

National issues

He said the 10 committees - each comprising one chair and nine members - are divided into two or three main areas across all 29 ministries.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul

The nine members represent six government MPs and three from the opposition, a bipartisan composition which Johari said would lead to a comprehensive view of issues at hand.

"Matters will not be looked at from a political angle, but rather as national issues and rights of the people," he added.

"There are matters that may otherwise be overlooked by the ministries and not given priority.

"The PSCs can act as extra eyes and ears for the public...," he said.

Johari said the single condition imposed on the committees would be for the respective chair to formally inform him prior to summoning any parties.

This, he said, was to avoid overlapping functions with other parliamentary bodies including the Public Accounts Committee.

Identified problem

Further, Johari explained that the PSC can work together with ministries under their purview, for example, to justify a request for more allocations from the Finance Ministry as a proposed solution to an identified problem.

Of the 10 committees, eight are led by government MPs while two others are headed by the opposition - Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah (nation-building, education, and human resource development) and Kuala Terengganu MP Ahmad Amzad Hashim (environment, science, and plantation).

From the government bench, among the chairs include Kuala Selangor MP Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Subang MP Wong Chen, each assigned to oversee their previous ministerial portfolios on health as well as international trade and Industries.

The remaining six chairs are Paya Besar MP Shahar Abdullah (finance and economy); Rasah MP Cha Kee Chin (Domestic trade, entrepreneurship, cost of living and agriculture); Tanjong Manis Yusuf Abdul Wahab (infrastructure, transport, communications); Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin (women, children, and community development); Ranau MP Jonathan Yasin (security); and Selayang MP William Leong Jee Kin (human rights, election, and institutional reforms). - Mkini