KUALA LUMPUR, 14 October 2026 — The Dewan Rakyat has approved the appointment of four Members of Parliament — two from the government and two from the opposition — to the newly established Parliamentary Service Council.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled the motion under Section 3(2)(f) of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 (Act 869). The Selection Committee, which met on 13 October, nominated the following:
Government representatives
- Ramkarpal Singh (PH–Bukit Gelugor)
- Datuk Seri Utama Ir. Hasni Mohammad (BN–Simpang Renggam)
Opposition representatives
- Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN–Beluran)
- Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN–Kota Bharu)
Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul informed the House that both sides had agreed to the nominees. The motion was passed by voice vote without debate.
In a post on X shortly after the sitting, Anwar described the appointments as a significant milestone in parliamentary institutional reform. He noted that the Parliamentary Services Act had been abolished for more than three decades before being revived, restoring Parliament’s autonomy to manage its own administration and affairs. He expressed hope that the four MPs would discharge their duties with integrity, responsibility and a spirit of cooperation so that Parliament can function as a free, credible and people-centred institution.
The Parliamentary Services Act 2025 and related constitutional amendments came into force on 1 October 2026. The legislation re-establishes a dedicated Parliamentary Service, separate from the federal public service, after the previous Parliamentary Services Act 1963 was repealed in 1992. The new framework is intended to give Parliament greater independence in managing its staff, finances and administration, reducing reliance on the Prime Minister’s Department and strengthening the separation of powers.
The Parliamentary Service Council is jointly chaired by the Dewan Rakyat Speaker and the Dewan Negara President. Its membership also includes deputy speakers, senators, the clerks of both Houses, and ex-officio officials from the Treasury and the Public Service Department. The four appointed MPs each hold one vote, and the council decides by simple majority. Its functions include appointing and setting the terms and conditions of Parliamentary Service staff, overseeing financial matters, and developing training programmes.
Government officials have said the changes will allow parliamentary staff to operate more independently, particularly in supporting select committees that scrutinise the executive. The appointments mark the first step in operationalising the council following the Act’s enforcement earlier this month.
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