Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz and parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang each called separate press conferences today to put forth their views on the setting-up of the new Parliament Department.

Lim reiterated that the department's establishment was a most serious assault on the doctrine of separation of powers in the 48-year history of the nation, and that Parliament would be reduced to being just another government department.

"I have no doubt that MPs, whether Barisan Nasional or opposition, find the proposal for the establishment of a Parliament Department highly repugnant and contemptuous," he told reporters at the Parliament's lobby.

In view of this, Lim said he has initiated an immediate three-pronged strategy in a 'save Parliament' campaign with a roundtable conference scheduled to be held tomorrow plus an emergency motion to debate the matter.

In addition, Tan Kok Wai (DAP-Cheras) who sits on the House committee chaired by House speaker Ramli Ngah Talib has also urged the latter to convene a meeting to discuss the "dangerous subversion of Parliament's independence and autonomy" by the new department.

The House committee oversees matters connected with the comfort and convenience of services and amenities available to members of the House.

On the roundtable conference tomorrow, Lim said Nazri has confirmed his attendance in addition to other civil society groups such as the Malaysian Trade Union Congress, Suaram, Aliran and Tenaganita.

Toilets, food

At a separate press conference about 30 minutes later, Nazri branded Lim's views on the new department as "ridiculous, frivolous and stupid'.

Nazri stressed that the new department would only take over administrative matters in order to manage the parliamentary affairs more efficiently and that it would not interfere in matters that related to the Parliament's proceedings in chambers.

He said concerns such as "the conditions of Parliament's toilets or bad Parliament food"were inappropriate to be raised in the Dewan Rakyat or Dewan Negara by their respective secretaries as the duo have many other responsibilities to take care of.

He argued that Parliament's independence lay with the freedom of expression of parliamentarians in the House and this would not be encroached upon by the new Parliament Department which would only "affect certain Parliament workers".

"MPs' freedom of expression would not be usurped due to this. DAP has no issue but to take this opportunity to play up a non-issue," the minister, who oversees parliamentary affairs said.

To further support his argument, Nazri said he had previously conveyed a new cabinet ruling concerning MPs' expense claims to the Parliament secretaries but that this was ignored as the secretaries are only answerable to the two chambers' speakers.

"So how shall I relay decisions and make the management of Parliament more effective when the secretaries do not listen to me? Although they may have been right for not listening to me because they just want to maintain the independence of Parliament," he said.

Rubber stamp

In view on this, Nazri noted that the new department will facilitate the smooth running of administrative affairs. According to the cabinet's recent decision, the department's director-general will be answerable to Nazri and to the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara speakers.

Nazri said details on the establishment of the department would not be tabled as a motion to be debated in the House during the current sitting as it was deemed a purely administrative matter. He added the director-general of the department will be announced soon.

Meanwhile, Transparency International Malaysian Chapter President Param Cumaraswamy echoed Lim's concern that the new Parliament Department would invade and erode Parliament's authority.

"What is wrong with the present management of the affairs of Parliament? Parliament should be seen independent of the executive arm of the government. That is what separation of powers is all about in a democracy.

"Already there is a prevailing perception that Parliament is a rubber stamp of the executive which is the cabinet. This move to place the affairs and administration of Parliament under a government agency will virtually confirm the prevailing perception."

Param urged all members of parliament to oppose the new department which he said would see "Independence of Parliament disappearing."