Dr M Raises Fear Of Control By Certain Groups With Psa Back

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Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has raised fears that Parliament will be “controlled by a certain group” with the return of the Parliamentary Services Act.
Mahathir, who repealed the original PSA in 1992, claimed that when “outsiders” are hired to serve in Parliament, there may be an element of favouritism in the hiring process.
“If we reduce the number of people who can work in Parliament, there may be a need to find better people. If we can’t find better people who are still available, we will hire outsiders.
“When you hire outsiders, there is an element of favouritism, that becomes a problem.
“I am afraid there will be replacements for people (working in Parliament) who are actually strong supporters of the government,” he said during a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya today.
Dewan RakyatLast Wednesday, the Dewan Rakyat passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to restore and re-enforce the Parliamentary Services Act.
The amendment received the support of 148 members of Parliament through a split vote, exceeding the two-thirds majority requirement.
However, 57 MPs did not vote, while another 17 were absent during the voting session.
Responding to criticisms, including from opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul clarified that the new PSA introduces a hybrid model to allay Parliament staffers’ concerns about their future career development.
The hybrid model would see the civil service handle the Parliament’s human resources, administration, and finances.
Meanwhile, a separate Parliamentary Service would handle the affairs of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, including its select committees. - Mkini

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