Senate president Abu Zahar Ujang today opened a special workshop on the formulation of national laws and said the process of formulating good legislation begins at ministry level.

He said the ministry officers, particularly the legal advisor, would have to ensure the draft law presented to Parliament safeguards the people's interests.

These officers should have sufficient knowledge and experience to embrace the spirit of the law in proposing the formulation of legislation, he said when opening the Workshop on Formulating National Legislation at Parliament House.

 

"Before a draft legislation is produced, ministry officers need to make an in-depth study of the requirements of the law. They should look into the level of effectiveness of the law to the country.  

"Ministry officers should study the current environment. We want to see only good laws passed by Parliament," he said. Also present was Senate deputy president Doris Sophia Brodi.   

Abu Zahar said the ministry officers should also ensure that the legislation was drafted on the Malaysian model, guided by the environment of a multi-racial and multi-religious society.  

Without fear or favour

He said members of Parliament and ministry officers should be bold enough to come forward should they come across legislation unsuitable for the current environment in Malaysia.  

"Laws are living subjects. They should not be static after being approved. If they see laws becoming obsolete or no longer suitable, proposals should be made to dispose of or to amend. Don't be trapped in fear or favour.   

"Knowledge of the law should always be developing. There is no one who knows all because it keeps growing, so we must learn constantly. The problem is that no one wants to admit that he does not know," he said.

Abu Zahar said that in empowering Parliament in Malaysia, MPs should appreciate the process of formulating legislation, especially when debating legislation in Parliament.

"Members of Parliament in Russia, the United Kingdom and Japan debate with prudence. They do not shout to voice their views. They do not say 'you're not fit to be a speaker' at their whims and fancies.    

"They respect the house and one another. So, when will our Parliament achieve that level? We are a model for other countries in many fields, so we should aspire to be a model too in the formulation of legislation," he said.    

- Bernama