Parliament Takes Control of Its Own Funding After New Services Council Formed

In a parliamentary briefing, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said declared that Parliament is now responsible for handling its own affairs after the Parliamentary Services Council was set up. She emphasized that she will not be answerable for internal parliamentary matters, which will be managed by members of the House. The announcement sparked a debate, with Arau MP Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim asking if opposition lawmakers would receive equitable funding under the new arrangement.

He urged that allocations be transferred from the Prime Minister's Department to Parliament and called on Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul to ensure fairness. Kampar MP Chong Zhemin reminded colleagues that allocation decisions have traditionally been an executive function. The Speaker highlighted the 33-year history of executive control and urged the council to deliberate patiently, stressing the importance of parliamentary independence.