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One of Parliament's main functions is to make laws for the country. Before any law is passed, it is first introduced in Parliament as a draft called a "Bill". Bills are usually introduced by a Minister on behalf of the Government. However, any Member of the House can introduce a Bill known as a Private Member's Bill. All Bills must go through three readings in Parliament and receive the President's assent to become an Act of Parliament.
A Bill is introduced and given a First Reading without a debate. Following its introduction, the Member in charge of the Bill will propose in Parliament that the Bill be read a second time. It is during this stage that MPs get an opportunity to debate on the principles of the Bills, examining its advantages and disadvantages. If MPs feel that the proposed law is beneficial to the country, they will vote in favour to proceed and the Bill will be given its Second Reading. The Bill then progresses to the Committee of the Whole Parliament or to a Select Committee comprising several MPs for it to be examined clause by clause. MPs who support the Bill in principle but do not agree with certain clauses can propose amendments to those clauses at this stage. Following its report back to the House, the Bill will go through its Third Reading where only minor amendments will be allowed before it is passed.
Most Bills passed by Parliament are scrutinised by the Presidential Council for Minority Rights which makes a report to the Speaker stating whether there is any differentiating measure in a Bill which affects any racial or religious community. If approved by the Council, the Bill will be assented to by the President before being gazetted in the Government Gazette to become a law.
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