KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara is not a 'rubber stamp' as claimed by some quarters, said Senate President Tan Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
He said it served as a check-and-balance mechanism to the executive, citing the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill 2023 which had raised concerns among Sarawak senators on the state autonomy.
"A clause in the bill allows the minister to extend its use to the whole of Malaysia, (which means it is) including Sarawak, which is inconsistent with government policy.
"Following this, the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Ministry (NRECC) postponed its second reading at the upper house," he told reporters at the Parliament today.
He said he met Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim who was among those expressing concern that the law could apply to the state.
When a law is not in line with existing policies, Parliament has a duty to inform the government on the matter as the legislative authority in accordance with the Federal Constitution, said Wan Junaidi.
"We do not stop (the bill). The amendments will be tabled in the Dewan Negara and a notice has been submitted to the senate secretary."
He said Ahmad, along with several senators, had sought amendments to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill as it did not provide the same rights to Sarawak as stipulated in the Energy Commission Act 2001 and the federal Electricity Supply Act 1990.
The Dewan Rakyat on Oct 10 passed the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill 2023 that sought to regulate the efficient consumption and conservation of energy in the country.
It is also aimed at strengthening the legal framework related to energy efficiency and conservation practices to ensure full involvement at various levels.
The New Straits Times has reached out to the ministry for further details.