LAWMAKERS are no longer allowed to livestream their Dewan Rakyat speeches on social media using their own devices, says Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Johari said that Standing Orders 35 (1) required MPs to direct their speeches to the Speaker chairing the session.
“Looking at their devices (while speaking) isn’t abiding by the said Standing Orders. With this, MPs are no longer allowed to place any devices to conduct livestreaming in the House.
“MP speeches can be watched via livestream through Parliament’s official YouTube account and other social media channels. I hope MPs will cooperate on this matter,” he said yesterday.
Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) then stood up to protest the decision.
“We live in an era where the media is sophisticated. I feel that the House has to move towards that direction, and not backwards. I hope this ruling can be looked into again,” he said.
In response, Johari said any dissatisfaction can be brought up to the Parliamentary committee.
“Write to the committee and we will make changes. No problems. Livestreaming is good, but we have RTM and YouTube live, where you can pick up from there,” he said.
Johari said the moment an MP speaks to an audience via livestream, they are no longer concentrating on Parliamentary proceedings.
During his speech later, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said if MPs were allowed to livestream their parliamentary speeches on social media, it would prove that Perikatan Nasional leaders can engage in good debates.
Hamzah said he received a lot of traction on social media when he delivered his speech on Budget 2024.
“If we were allowed to livestream to the entire country, we would prove that the Opposition can deliver great debates and this will help the people,” he said.
Hamzah also expressed his “condolences” to all MPs, saying “We express ‘condolences’ to all MPs, including our friends over there, especially Arau (Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim) who is the current ‘TikTok King’ in Malaysia.”
