No compromise with the independence of Parliament

The Malaysian Minister for Parliament in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz must be frank, transparent and accountable to ensure that there is true separation of powers, that is, the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive.

If Nazri had consulted members before he made the following announcement, we might be able to avoid the roundtable mentioned below. He should have known that we are against any attempt to take away the independence of Parliament.

On 6 October, 2005, Datuk Seri Nazri announced that there would be a Director to manage Parliament. The media reported the proposal of a Department. People have been alarmed.

On 11 October, 2005, the Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang organized a roundtable conference on the matter in Parliament. Many people such as Keadilan Chairperson Datin Seri Aziza, PAS MPs Salahuddin Ayub and Dr Mohd. Hayati Othman and Malaysian Trade Union Congress President attended.

Kit Siang and Nazri spoke at length. They are lawyers.

Nazri said that the media quoted Jabatan (Department). He means small j not capital J. The Director can be called manager. He stressed that he would not go against the separation of powers.

The Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi believes in the independence of Parliament that is based on the Westminster model. Out of 219 members, 90 are front benchers, 101 are back benchers, 27 are opposition members and one indpendent.

Nazri insists that he is only interested in improving the management of Parliament. He needs a special group of staff members to carry out his duties to make Parliament better. He is not interfering with the duties of the Clerk (Setiausaha) of Parliament.

It is encouraging that Nazri attended the roundtable. After he continues to speak so much, he should show that he is genuinely frank, transparent and accountable. He must not lay down any foundation for the erosion of the indeopendence of Parliament.