KUCHING: Veteran lawyer Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar welcomes the Federal government’s intention to set up the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to look into the Federal Constitution vis a vis the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“This is what I have consistently said which culminated in the proposal to appoint the Special Select Committee under Rule 54 (2) of the Rules of Dewan Rakyat, during the last session, but unfortunately it was rejected,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, yesterday.
Wan Junaidi, however, pointed out that there two possible Select Committees under the Parliamentary Rules and Procedures namely, the Special Select Committee and the PSC.
“Under the present law, rules and procedures, the Special Select Committee is preferred in that it can draft the law and visit places and meet wider segments of the rakyat.
“The Special Select Committee is backed up by the full rigour of the law and Rules and Procedures of Dewan Rakyat.
“The PSC at the moment is an ad hoc committee which has no clout under the law and Rules and Procedures of Dewan Rakyat, until the Rules and Procedures are amended,” he said.
Junaidi, who is also Santubong MP, said he strongly recommended in both the Caucus for the Transformation and Governance of Parliament and in his talks in the seminar organised jointly by Selangor government think tank, Institute Darul Ehsan (IDE), and Parliament in June this year, to forthwith amend the Rules and Procedures of Dewan Rakyat.
“From the statement of the Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong, it is not clear, which Select Committee he is referring to.
“Besides, both the committees need the endorsement of the Dewan Rakyat, therefore, this committee could only be established after July of this Parliament session.
“So, YB Datuk Minister which Select Committee are you referring to? Thank you,” Junaidi asked.
Liew, in Sabah on Saturday, said the committee would involve selected MPs to complement the Special Cabinet Steering Committee for MA63.
