The G25 group of prominent retired civil servants has called on MPs to close the gaps in the government’s plan to make parliamentary special select committees (PSSCs) permanent.
While it backed the government’s move on the matter, the group warned that the current proposal had gaps that could undermine its effectiveness.
Its concerns included the standing orders committee’s proposed cap of 10 PSSCs, which G25 said would be insufficient to cover all ministries and cross-ministerial portfolios, which could overburden MPs and leave key policy areas without scrutiny.
“The absence of a requirement for future governments to place all ministries and major public institutions under committee oversight could also result in serious blind spots.
“If ministerial roles change or new agencies are created without this requirement, some of them might escape proper oversight,” it said in a statement today.
The group also said that vital institutions such as the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission were not explicitly included in the proposed structure, leaving them without this avenue of accountability.
G25 also called for amendments to Standing Order 54(1) so that bills are automatically referred to the relevant committee, except in urgent cases.
It said committee reports should be debated and voted on in the main chamber rather than in the special chamber, where ministers may not be obliged to respond.
The group added that committees should review annual and supplementary budgets, and be empowered to summon witnesses, compel documents, and hold public inquiries when necessary.
“A permanent committee system, if designed with sufficient scope, powers, and resources, has the potential to transform Malaysia’s parliamentary culture and strengthen the checks and balances in our institutions.
“This is essential to building Malaysia’s democratic maturity,” it said.
The Dewan Rakyat passed amendments to several provisions of its Standing Orders on Aug 12 to elevate PSSCs to standing committees, codify parliamentary practices, and improve MPs’ ability to conduct House business.
