Explore the Malaysian Parliament's inner workings through the eyes of a P104 intern. Discover legislative insights like never before!
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27 Sep 2023
6 Min Read
Afrina Arfa (Student Writer), Nellie Chan (Editor)
Explore the Malaysian Parliament's inner workings through the eyes of a P104 intern. Discover legislative insights like never before!
In the intricate constitutional monarchy system of Malaysia, there exists an intrinsic institution that defines the nation as a democracy – Parliament. As the epicentre of governance, Parliament acts as a nexus where state-elected representatives from all corners of the nation come to deliberate, discuss, and decide upon matters that chart the course of the country. Malaysia’s Parliament is divided into two houses: Dewan Rakyat (the Lower House or the House of Representatives) and Dewan Negara (the Upper House). Dewan Rakyat is made up of 222 Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the public, while Dewan Negara is made up of 70 Senators, with 40 of them personally appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
While both houses play essential roles in the processes of decision-making, passing, and reviewing legislation, Dewan Rakyat serves as the primary forum for these functions. Specifically, it passes Federal Laws and amends existing ones, examines the efficiency of government policies, and approves government expenditures. It is also here that the public has a platform to voice their opinions — this occurs during parliamentary hearings, where all MPs gather from Monday to Thursday to discuss pressing national issues. These gatherings often conjure images of intense debates, impassioned speeches, and important decisions on our screens. But despite being open for all to watch, parliamentary hearings remain veiled in an aura of mystery, obscured by the complexities of its processes.
While parliamentary hearings bring the forefront of the proceedings into view, the groundwork for these discussions begins long before, behind the closed doors of their respective geographical constituency offices. Among these offices is that of YB Wong Chen, the elected MP for Subang Jaya, where I had the honour of interning. During this internship, I had the opportunity to demystify the intricacies of parliamentary hearings and gain valuable insights into the inner workings of the political arena.
Amid the hundreds of diverse governance structures around the world, Malaysia’s parliamentary hearings are indisputably distinct. These hearings stand as the pillars of our nation’s democracy, a status achieved in 1957. They function as a mechanism for amplifying the voices of the people. Not only do they facilitate transparency and accountability by providing an open forum where government officials engage in debates and discussions on behalf of their citizens, but they also operate as a system of checks and balances on the government’s actions, allowing for scrutiny of proposed legislation and policies to ensure they are in the best interest of the nation.
Formally, parliamentary hearings shoulder the responsibility of proposing and passing new bills. The process commences with a specific Ministry preparing an initial draft of the bill, which is then deliberated upon by the Cabinet. After receiving Cabinet approval for submission to Parliament, the draft is distributed to all MPs and undergoes three readings in Dewan Rakyat before being sent to Dewan Negara. This process was evident over 60 years ago when the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63) was approved by the Malaysian parliament and endorsed by the British Parliament. MA63 had sought the unification of the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, and Sarawak into what we now know as Malaysia.
While this legislative process — approving bills — is vital, it does not dominate every discussion in parliamentary hearings. Instead, a substantial amount of time is dedicated to addressing constituency-related concerns raised by different MPs.
Before any hearings, all MPs have the opportunity to submit questions to a particular Ministry, either in written or spoken form. During the hearings, issues such as citizenship cases, poverty eradication, and the overall economy often take precedence. However, one of the highlights of these sessions is the budget readings, including Budget 2023 and the upcoming tabling of Budget 2024. These budget readings typically span several months. The Prime Minister prepares them in advance, and they comprise three readings:
YB Wong Chen, the MP representing Subang Jaya, plays an integral role in the intricate machinery of Malaysia’s democracy, much like the other 221 MPs. As a whole, he serves as the voice of constituents in Subang Jaya within the halls of Dewan Rakyat, speaking for their concerns and aspirations, a role he has fulfilled since 2013. Behind the scenes, the parliamentary office of YB Wong Chen (P104) acts as the hub that connects the MP and the local community, where problems are addressed, and solutions are either sought or brought to the attention of the other MPs during hearings. Within this framework, the office conducts a wide array of activities, including organising community outreach programs, assisting with numerous constituency matters daily, and facilitating engagements between the MP and his constituents.
Interning in the parliamentary office of YB Wong Chen for a period of 3 months was never short of insightful work. As a P104 intern, I was heavily involved in researching and extracting election-related data, as my internship period coincided with the 15th General Election. Attending meetings, both within the office and with constituents, was another significant aspect of my internship. These meetings served as gateways to discussions on various concerns, allowing us to gather valuable feedback and strategise a viable course of action. However, the most memorable aspect of my internship was the time spent in Parliament. Alongside fellow interns, I had the privilege of learning from YB Wong Chen himself, networking with other MPs, and witnessing the hearings firsthand from our seats in the chamber.
Every momentous decision that has profoundly moulded our nation and its future has had its beginnings in a parliamentary hearing, with some notable ones being the Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957, the MA63, and the more recent Undi18 Bill. From the functions and discussions that take place in parliamentary hearings to my reflections on my time as a P104 intern, it becomes abundantly clear that Parliament stands as the cornerstone of our democracy, upholding values such as accountability and transparency. When we take a step back to look at the bigger picture, parliamentary hearings are not merely legislative sessions; they embody our democratic ideals.
All in all, my internship has provided me with firsthand insights into the inner workings of Parliament. Through this experience, I have come to realise that even the smallest actions of an individual can have a significant impact on society as a whole. It illustrates how every citizen can contribute to constructing a more equitable society, as our votes govern the composition of Parliament, and Parliament, in turn, governs our nation. Just as I had the opportunity to get a good glimpse into the world of politics, you, too, can do the same by actively participating, whether it's volunteering as a polling agent during the next elections or considering an internship at a parliamentary office!
Afrina Arfa is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Finance and Economics (Honours) at Taylor's University. She spends her time indulging in economic news, hoping to inspire others to think beyond the constraints of society.
