Who controls time controls Parliament: The case for shared control of parliamentary time in the Dewan Rakyat

Maha Balakrishnan

doi:10.54313/journalmp.v5i.148

Authors

Maha Balakrishnan Independent Policy Strategy Consultant and a Research Fellow at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54313/journalmp.v5i.148

Keywords:

parliamentary time, agenda control, executive-legislative relations, non-government business time, Dewan Rakyat

Abstract

In the last six years, there have been rapid developments in efforts to strengthen the oversight role of the Dewan Rakyat and the representative function of its MPs, but little progress in expanding and strengthening the Dewan Rakyat’s law-making function. One structural impediment to further progress in strengthening the Dewan Rakyat is that control of the Dewan Rakyat’s calendar and agenda is still principally in the hands of the executive branch. This paper presents an analysis of how parliamentary time is set, prioritised and allocated in the Dewan Rakyat, specifically in terms of non-Government or Private Members’ business, and their participation in controlling the parliamentary calendar. This paper also evaluates the models in the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Scotland for the control of their parliamentary calendar and agenda, and the allocation and programming of time for Private Members’ business. This paper concludes with evaluations and recommendations on measures that can be implemented within the short term to improve the role of the Dewan Rakyat and its members in the setting, prioritising and allocation of parliamentary time.

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