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The posts of two deputy speakers in the Malaysian Dewan Rakyat and one speaker in the Dewan Negara are being made full-time in the Members of Parliament (Remuneration)[Amendment] Bill, 2001. Besides remuneration of deputy speakers, Parliament must change with the time.

This Bill enables each Deputy Speaker in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives) and the Dewan Negara (Senate) to draw a monthly salary of RM 8,000 with other perks instead of the MP allowance of RM3,399. Deputy speakership will be full-time. Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara have two and one Deputy Speakers respectively.

Our Parliament inherits the British Westminster tradition. Parliamentary speakership is part of this tradition for over 800 years. A speaker is a go-between between Parliament and the King, Yang di-Pertuan Agung, letting the latter know the resolutions passed in the House.

The Speaker is the most important person in the House, being in charge of all proceedings, other sections in Parliament and its compound. The head of the Department of Parliament is the Clerk. The two Houses have a Clerk each.

If these Houses cannot live up to the aspirations of the people, they have to change.

PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY

Parliamentary democracy has division of powers: the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. As a sovereign body, Parliament fosters its relationship with the people. Hence, the Speaker must show his or her impartiality in the relationship with the people.

Although the speakership is a political appointment, a speaker shows his or her impartiality, being a referee in dealing with MPs. In the absence of the Speaker, his Deputy takes over the chair.

DEPUTY SPEAKER FROM OPPOSITION PARTY

The two Deputy Speakers in the Dewan Rakyat are from the ruling coalition parties. To increase the impartiality, we propose that one of the Deputy Speakers be an MP from the Opposition.

Then, we need a Speaker’s panel with MPs from ruling and opposition parties as members. From time to time, each member can be an acting Speaker.

SELECT COMMITTEE

As time changes, Parliament must change. How can it reflect the views of the people, promulgate laws more effectively and improve the executive accountability?

Apart from the debates in the House, we require Select Committees to study legislative, financial and administrative issues. We have to review the measures taken by the Government such as through the Public Accounts Committee, PAC. We have to use these committees fully to ensure executive accountability.

A senior member of the Opposition should head the PAC. Now, a Government backbencher chairs it. PAC should play a more active part, reviewing the use of public funds. For example, the Government buys the Malaysian Airline System, MAS, shares at a price much higher than that of the market, the Time dotCom initial public offering is supported by statutory bodies and the Treasury takes over Renong by buying United Engineers Malaysia, UEM, shares.

FAIR TO MPs

The Government should make sure that all MPs, whether from ruling or opposition parties, get a fair treatment in financial, administrative and other matters. For example, government departments have information and data. If they give information, they should do so to all MPs regardless of party affiliations.

Today, the Government discriminates against opposition MPs in many aspects including the allocation of funds. This should not be so. After all, all MPs are elected by the people and when they take an oath in the House they use the same schedule in the Federal Constitution, pledging loyal to the king and country, to fulfill duties and obligations and to uphold the Constitution.

Therefore, we should have a Select Committee to study the discriminations by the Government against Opposition MPs and to find solutions to these aberrations.

 Dr Tan Seng Giaw