Parliamentarians should be informed of plans to make changes to the Parliament's administration, said Backbenchers Club chairperson Sharir Abdul Samad today.

"It would be good if a meeting is held for MPs to help them understand what has been planned," he told the Dewan Rakyat.

Shahrir was responding to Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), who before the debate on the Supply Bill 2006, announced that he received a letter from Parliament on its new organisational chart.

The letter was inked by the newly appointed Parliament head of administration Kamaruddin Mohamed Baria.

According to the letter, the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat Speakers will issue directives to the head of administration on matters concerning administrative policies.

"The head of administration is responsible for the administrative affairs of the Parliament which was previously implemented by the secretary of Parliament," read the five-page letter, which was made available to the media.

Handled hastily

Shahrir said matters relating to the head of administration were handled 'hastily' and that parliamentarians were not informed of the details.

Lim had raised the matter because the letter stated that there will be a separation of powers between the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat Speakers and the head of administration.

He said that issue is the doctrine of separation of powers between the Parliament and executive, and not the three different designations in Parliament itself.

"Until a discussion is carried out, the status quo must be maintained," he added.

Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib said the head of administration designation will assist the Parliament to higher professional levels.

He also ensured that the matter will be discussed.

On Oct 6, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz announced that the Cabinet had agreed to establish a Parliament Department drawing flak from several quarters.