Kuala Lumpur, 18 September 2025 — Malaysia has taken a substantial step in institutional reform with the enactment of the Parliamentary Services Act 2025, a law designed to strengthen parliamentary independence by separating parliamentary services from the civil service and granting Parliament greater control over its administration, finances, and staffing. Many political observers say the move could set a benchmark for ASEAN countries still grappling with legislative accountability and the separation of powers.
After more than three decades without its own separate service, Parliament’s management will now be overseen by a newly formed Parliamentary Service Council, which is empowered under the Act to govern financial allocation, human resources matters, and the employment terms of support staff. This includes provisions for training, staff welfare, and policymaking that no longer fall under direct executive branch control.
The law also restores through legislation what was lost in 1992, when Malaysia repealed its earlier Parliamentary Service Act of 1963. Experts say that the 1963 law had provided a model for legislative autonomy; its repeal meant Parliament lost the ability to independently manage many of its internal affairs. With the new Act in place, Malaysia officially moves toward institutional structures aligned with best practices observed in more mature democracies within the region.
Supporters believe the Parliamentary Services Act will enhance transparency, accountability, and the checks-and-balances system necessary for democratic maturity. It is expected to boost public trust in legislative processes, improve efficiency in parliamentary operations, and reduce executive overreach. However, some observers counsel close attention to implementation—how appointments to the Council are made, how its budget is secured, and whether oversight mechanisms will be strong and insulated from political influence.
Malaysia’s example may prove influential in the ASEAN region, where several nations are still refining legislative autonomy and curbing executive interference. As ASEAN evolves, this Act may be looked upon as a benchmark for how to institutionalize parliamentary services with greater independence — not merely as symbolic reform but in a way that concretely shifts power dynamics and administrative control.
