Don’t raise stupid issues, Nazri tell MPs
IPOH: Members of Parliament are “asking for it” if they raise “stupid and irrelevant” matters in the Dewan Rakyat, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz.
“It is better that you keep quiet and let others assume you are stupid rather than talk nonsense (cakap hentam) and confirm that you are really stupid.
“If we want to debate an issue, make sure we prepare so that we will not look stupid for speaking on matters which are not true,” he told reporters after opening the Perak Malay Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting here yesterday.
Nazri, who is in charge of Parliament affairs, was commenting on a row between some MPs and a daily that carried a commentary questioning the quality of parliamentary debate on Wednesday.
Nazri said he felt that the article was fair comment and the media should continue to report on Parliament without fear or favour.
“MPs should not be too thin-skinned and should accept criticism made against them.
“They should view such articles positively and use the criticism to rectify their weaknesses and improve their performance,” he said.
“The committee is only meant to penalise MPs who have committed misconduct,” he said, in reference to calls by several MPs, to refer the writer to the Committee of Privileges.
Nazri said he felt that MPs, who could not take criticism, were old-fashioned.
“Society is becoming smarter and critical, thus putting an MP under public scrutiny all the time.
“If they cannot stand such a situation, they should stay away from politics,” he said.
In a statement, Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said MPs who had brought Parliament into public contempt over the past month should stand up to apologise and promise to turn over a new leaf.
“Such MPs would be those who have made irresponsible comments on issues such as the MAS stewardess' uniforms, polygamy, or made sexist, offensive and silly remarks, or “hare-brained” proposals,” he said.
Related Story:
In the glare of unwanted publicity
News Poll
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Girl and stepmum held over bid to kill first wife
- Biggest karaoke session a blast
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Victim’s dad nabs kidnapper
- Teoh's second autopsy completed 3.15pm
- Teoh’s body exhumed for second autopsy today
- Foreigner falls to her death from condominium
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- Court ruling takes bite out of local council summonses
- Chin Peng apologises for death of innocents
- Malaysians must get regular dental checks
- No licence to try offenders
- Big impact in ‘small’ man’s win
- New evidence on MCA snoop squad case arrives at doorstep
- Weapons drawn for new battle
- Johor set to be a medical hub
- Joy for 2,500 housebuyers as SPNB takes over project
- More Indonesian maids by year end?
RSS
