Speakers To Attend CSPOC In Trinidad and Tobago

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Senate President Abu Zahar Ujang and Lower House of Parliament President Pandikar Amin Mulia will be attending the 21st Conference of Commonwealth Speakers and Presiding Officers (CSPOC) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from Jan 7 to 12. Parliament's Public Relations officer Tengku Nasaruddin Tengku Mohamed said representatives of 35 Commonwealth member countries would be attending the conference. The previous biannual conference (CSPOC) was held in New Delhi, India in 2010, he said in a statement here Saturday. "Malaysia's involvement in the conference will further strengthen the relationship among member countries and enhance the institution of Parliament," he said. He said among four major topics to be discussed would be the Role of Parliamentary Diplomacy in the era of Globalization, Executive Accountability: (Oversight Role of Parliament), Emerging new Challenges for speakers: (multiparty chambers and minority or coalition government) and Parliamentary Service and its Management: (Strengthening the Independence of Parliament). There would also be 'Regional Caucus Meetings' held among Africa, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Caribbean Americas/ Atlantic), India, Pacific and South East Pacific, he said. --BERNAMA