By Selangor Journal Team
SHAH ALAM, Feb 4 — The Selangor State Legislative Assembly is looking forward to the tabling of the Parliamentary Services Bill at the federal level, hoping it will set the stage for the long-awaited State Assembly Services Bill (Selesa), which has been stalled since 2010.
Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San expressed hope that the bill will be passed in Parliament to allow the Selangor assembly to regain its independence and integrity.
“Lau will continue discussions with all stakeholders in the hopes this bill can be tabled and passed as soon as possible,” the Selangor Speaker’s Office said in a statement.
The Parliamentary Services Act 1963 was introduced so the Dewan Rakyat could act as an independent body, run its own affairs, select its staff and control its expenditure. It was repealed in 1992.
Lau also unveiled plans to revive the state assembly journal, Dewan, whose publication started in 2010 under former speaker Dato’ Teng Chang Khim but ceased after 2013.
The office said that before the official state assembly websites were set up, statements presented in and relevant information related to the state assembly were included in the journal.
In addition, Lau also aims to expand printed materials in multiple languages to educate local and international visitors on the history, functions, and role of the state assembly.
Lau was elected state speaker on September 19, 2023, at a time marked by the highest number of opposition assemblymen in the state’s history.
Meanwhile, the office released key achievements in the past year, from empowering women to enhancing transparency that shaped the legislative progress.
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The Selangor Women Assembly (Siwanis) 2024 in session at the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, Shah Alam, on December 16, 2024. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
1. Empowering women
With only nine female state representatives in 2024 (five from DAP, two from Amanah and one each from Keadilan and Bersatu), down from 12 in 2018, Lau took proactive steps by appointing more women to lead select and special select committees while ensuring their participation in at least two committees.
This move has strengthened women’s voices in debates, allowing them to actively counter extreme narratives and play a bigger role in legislative governance in the state assembly.
2. Extending debate time
Lau increased speaking time for assemblymen from five to 15 minutes to ensure more meaningful discussions.
This change benefits both state government and opposition representatives, while the opposition leader and government backbenchers’ chairman continue to receive longer durations in recognition of their senior roles.
3. Interpretation of the anti party-hopping law
With the anti party-hopping enactment in place, the Speaker plays a crucial role in deciding seat vacancies in the event of defections.
In 2024, Perikatan Nasional requested the Selat Klang seat be vacated, claiming the defection of Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari. After an investigation, Lau ruled that Rashid’s support for the Menteri Besar was declared before Bersatu’s constitutional amendment was adopted.
Additionally, Lau noted Bersatu’s wording — stating Rashid’s membership was “terminated” rather than “expelled” — as a key factor. His ruling, which differed from the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s approach, became a reference among the legal fraternity and academics.
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Selangor State Legislative Assembly Speaker Lau Weng San chairs the Selangor Women’s Assembly at Wisma DNS, Shah Alam, on December 16, 2024. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
4. Selcat public hearings
The Select Committee for Competency, Accountability, and Transparency, or Selcat, continued its public hearings to reinforce government accountability, with a key focus in 2024 on the Selangor General Insurance Scheme (Insan), which received widespread public support.
Apart from Selcat, nine additional select and special select committees were formed to monitor state administration, making Selcat the only committee with the authority to hold public hearings.
5. Strengthening international relations
Selangor’s state assembly reforms have gained global attention, with more state and international delegation visits last year than in the past decade combined, reflecting the growing recognition of Selangor as a model for democratic governance.
Leveraging the Unity Government, Lau encouraged state representatives to engage with democratic nations to ensure Selangor remains aligned with global parliamentary standards.
6. Giving women, youth, and students a voice
The Selangor Youth Assembly was successfully revived last year, providing young leaders with opportunities to engage in governance.
Additionally, the Darul Ehsan Parliamentary Debate Competition was introduced in collaboration with the Selangor State Education Department, marking the first-ever school-level parliamentary-style debate competition in the state assembly.
Furthermore, the Second Women’s Parliament, or Siwanis, was hosted at the state assembly for the first time, in partnership with state executive councillor for women empowerment and welfare Anfaal Saari, to promote women’s empowerment in governance.
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Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San speaks to reporters after presenting school aid to recipients at the Raja Muda Musa Hall, Shah Alam, on December 19, 2024. — Picture by HARUN TAJUDIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
