Making a statement: The empty seats of the Opposition MPs seen at the august House after they staged a walkout when Anwar gave his explanation over the outcome of Ahmad Zahid’s graft case. — Bernama
Lawmakers urged to follow decorum after shouting match at House
Live up to your title as “the honourable member of the House” (Yang Berhormat) and act more respectfully, Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar tells Members of Parliament following the shouting match in Dewan Rakyat.
“Our MPs must try to settle down – there’s no need to scream, to shout or to insult,” he said when interviewed.
He also called for the MPs, regardless of the blocs, to be more accommodating towards the opposing parties and start listening to others as well.
The former parliamentarian said this following what took place in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was providing an explanation over the outcome of Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s graft case.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) then staged a walkout with several other MPs to protest the Speaker’s decision.
Wan Junaidi also said that the act of leaving the august House would not bring any benefit as it would disrupt the whole process of the Dewan Rakyat unless the issue was against the rules, unless any party was giving a statement that was against the law.
“(Staging a walkout) defeats the whole purpose (of Dewan Rakyat sitting). You demanded for the government to explain but you’re not listening.
“If you walk out, you’re denying the rights of the rakyat where an MP must listen and give their views later on. One must always be prepared in practising democracy.
“If you leave the House, who will listen to the explanation given?” he added.
He said he was looking into how to produce a kind environment within the House in order to ensure MPs could debate healthily.
Both Wan Junaidi and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul are working to set up guidelines for lawmakers’ decorum in both houses.
The Dewan Negara president added that the onus is on the MPs to behave and act accordingly while the Dewan Rakyat is in session.
“It is also time for the rakyat to start electing MP candidates who are well-behaved, well-mannered during the elections, as how reps should be,” he added.
Former MP Tawfik Ismail, who is also the son of the country’s second deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, said the representatives must always remember that their remarks in the House will be etched in history.
“We expect many things from MPs, and not all will be remembered, but as all utterances are recorded by Hansard, it is in the interest of the MPs to remember that history will judge their words and the effect those words have on the course of current events,” he said.
