MP for Kota Baharu Datuk Mohd. Zaid Ibrahim has submitted a motion to the Clerk of the House to allow the former to introduce a Private Member’s Bill, namely the Malaysia Press Council Bill.

Zaid’s motion has been listed in the Order paper received yesterday. Dewan Rakyat will sit for 14 days beginning 26 June.

According to Press report dated 9 February, Zaid wanted to expedite the setting up of the much talked-about Press Council.

Attempts to establish the press self-regulatory body began almost three decades ago with the last real attempt made in 2000 when a draft proposal was submitted by the Malaysia Press Institute, a body representing publishers and editors, to the government. The draft was returned with a request for some changes but that was the last that was heard of it.

However, as acknowledged by Zaid, the hardest part will be getting the House’s approval for him to table the Bill.

Past records showed that almost none of the Private Member’s Bill has been allowed by the Parliament with Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang trying several times without success.

Article 67 of the Federal Constitution restricts the introduction of Bills involving taxation, expenditure, etc.

Under 49(1) of the Standing Orders, any private member desiring to introduce a Bill may apply to the House for leave to do so and submit a copy of the Bill with an explanatory statement of the objects and reasons.

Leave being granted on a question put and carried, the Bill shall be deemed to have been read the first time.

The Bill shall be printed and circulated to members, and shall stand referred without discussion to the Minister concerned. No further proceedings shall be taken upon such Bill until the Minister has reported to the House.

After the report has been made, the Bill shall be set down for second reading upon such day as the Minister in charge of the Bill shall desire.

Zaid had previously commented that the press and other media apparatuses in Malaysia now enjoying much more freedom and laxity than before due to the more open and tolerant policies of PM Abdullah. But will he get the leave to table the bill on Malaysia Press Council?