KUALA LUMPUR: Sexist remarks and the use of unparliamentary words in the august House may be a thing of the past, as Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul vows to strengthen decorum and etiquette in Parliament under his watch.
In an exclusive interview with The Star, Johari acknowledged that decorum had been a problem in the Lower House, adding that he had no tolerance for such behaviour, especially sexist remarks being uttered in the House.
Johari said he had spoken to his senate counterpart, Dewan Negara President Senator Tan Sri Rais Yatim, on the matter, and a guideline would be crafted on decorum.
“I met the president of the upper house, Tan Sri Rais Yatim, and he is very concerned about that, and together we will probably propose ethics and etiquette,” he said, adding that the guidelines would be on unparliamentary behaviours and words.
Johari said lawmakers must be mindful that their actions were broadcasted in the media, and it was viewed by people from all walks of life, including children.
“If MPs do not behave, how do you expect the public to behave? Then you take Parliament House to a very low level, and (it) will not be respected. So I do not tolerate that.”
Taking note of the ruckus that unfolded on the day the Anti-Sexual Harassment was debated in the Dewan Rakyat last July, he said such incidents should not happen.
He was referring to the incident when then Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman went on a tirade calling some female MPs indecent and was even accused of uttering an expletive in the Dewan Rakyat.
Civil society groups and fellow MPs have repeatedly called out MPs on sexist remarks towards female lawmakers in the Dewan Rakyat.
Johari said sometimes unparliamentary remarks were taken as jokes, adding that it should not happen.
He said making jokes out of such remarks only showed one’s insensitivity and noted that some MPs who made such remarks were seniors.
Asked whether any additions would be made to the Standing Orders, Johari said the all-encompassing provision on the use of unparliamentary words was enough to address the issue of decorum, including the use of sexist remarks.
On how he plans to uphold decorum in the House, Johari said he would want to take a soft approach.
“I would like to take a soft approach. I don’t want to eject people, and I don’t want to punish people. Remember, MPs come with various backgrounds, experiences and qualifications,” he said.
Johari said training, courses and seminars would be given to MPs and their officers, especially first-time MPs, on decorum, ethics and how the Parliament works to assimilate them into the system.
“We will cover as much as possible so that after six months, they will become better as an MP,” he said.
He said he would be neutral when he presided, adding that everyone would receive equal treatment.
He said given that there were at least 80 new MPs on board, he would like to have an informal gathering with MPs to know them better and to share his own experience as a three-term lawmaker.
On recalcitrant MPs who refused to heed warnings, the former Sungai Petani MP said harsher punishments would be meted out if they crossed the line, adding that “bad habits die hard”.
He said MPs should use the parliamentary select committees as an avenue to air their views.
Johari is also looking to empower youth parliament by hosting training sessions and talks for school students and adolescents when the Dewan Rakyat sitting is not in session to groom future lawmakers.
“During the break, there will be a lot of training, I will concentrate on youth leaders and get school head boys and head girls as well as captains to organise a trip here,” he said, adding that they would be given an opportunity to experience what it was like being in the chambers and debating on topics.
Johari said he aimed to have some 1,000-5,000 participants a year, and by the end of his five-year tenure, there would be a few thousand potential future MPs.
“I hope some of them will become MPs of the future regardless of which party they join,” he said.
