What is the core difference in scope between SO55(1) and SO55(2) for PSSC reviews?

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Scope of PSSC Reviews Differs Based on Bill Committal Stage

The core difference in scope between Standing Order (SO) 55(1) and SO 55(2) of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders (DRSO) lies in whether the Parliamentary Special Select Committee (PSSC) can debate the merits and principles of a Bill, or only its details. This distinction is determined by the stage at which a Bill is committed to the PSSC.

When a Bill is committed to a PSSC before its second reading, as outlined in SO 55(1) DRSO, the committee possesses the authority to deliberate on both the finer points and the fundamental aspects, including the merits and principles of the legislation. This pre-second reading referral, exemplified by the recent commitment of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill 2026 under SO 54(1) DRSO, allows for a more comprehensive examination of the Bill's substance.

Conversely, if a Bill is committed to a PSSC after its second reading, as stipulated in SO 55(2) DRSO, the committee's mandate is restricted. In such instances, the PSSC is expressly prohibited from debating the principle of the Bill. Its review is confined solely to scrutinising and discussing the specific details of the proposed legislation. This procedural difference highlights the varying levels of depth and breadth a PSSC can achieve depending on the timing of the Bill's referral.

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What is the core difference in scope between SO55(1) and SO55(2) for PSSC reviews?

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