4 more special select committees set up

The Dewan Rakyat approves the new special select committees to improve government policies.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today approved the setting up of four more special select committees which will function as check and balance mechanisms of the government.

This was among the contents in the House Committee Report tabled before all MPs today and which was later accepted.

The four new committees were: Special Select Committees on Election; Special Select Committee on Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs; Special Select Committee On International Relations and Trade; and Special Select Committee on Science, Innovation and Environment.

The committees were aimed at facilitating and improving government policies so they are more efficient. They will provide legitimacy for the actions and policies implemented by the government.

These committees can summon people to have their statements, thoughts and views taken, subject to the provisions stated in the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat,

Any report or statement which is issued as a result of inquiry by any special select committee must be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.

Other than the setting up of the four committees, the statement also announced the setting up of the All-Party Parliamentary Groups Malaysia.

It is a forum or platform on topics of common interest among MPs in the Dewan Rakyat and senators of the Dewan Negara, including outsiders comprising academicians, professional groups, NGOs and others.

The forum can be used to discuss, scrutinise and submit reports of proposals to the Parliament or its committees.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof had earlier said that 11 special select committees would be set up. - FMT