KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 28 -- Parliament is expected to scrutinise government decisions, debate laws and examine how public money is spent, but who manages the institution itself?

That question is at the heart of the Parliamentary Service Act 2025, which came into force on October 1, restoring a dedicated service intended to give Parliament greater control over its staffing, finances and administration after more than three decades under the government's administrative structure.

The law establishes the Parliamentary Service Council to oversee the service, with the aim of strengthening Parliament's institutional independence from the executive, which refers to the prime minister, Cabinet and government ministries.

The council came into focu...