Dewan Rakyat Parliment Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul (right) visiting 6the Perak State Legislative Assembly mingling with the Perak Speaker Datuk Mohd Zahir Abdul Khalid (2nd left)
IPOH: Loopholes in the anti-hopping law will be among the issues to be discussed at the coming Parliament and State Legislative Assembly Speakers’ Conference in Sarawak, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
He said while the matter was not on the agenda of the conference to be held from Sept 11 to 14, this does not prevent speakers from discussing it.
Johari added that each state’s respective constitution served as a primary reference.
“Thus there will probably be questions related to the anti-hopping law.
“Each state has its own constitution, and what happens in Parliament can serve as a guide, as in the end, each state has its own rights,” he told a press conference after an official visit to the Perak State Assembly here today. (Aug 5)
Also present were Perak Speaker Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid and State Deputy Speaker Jenny Choy Tsi Jen.
Johari said that no politicians would be involved in the conference, as it was primarily for speakers.
“There are some speakers who were previously assemblymen, but as speakers, they must remain impartial, independent, and fair.
“Speakers cannot bring party affiliations into the discussions, as speakers are guided by certain principles,” he added.
On his working visit, Johari said that he was briefed on how the Perak State Assembly approached certain issues.
As examples, Johari listed allocations for assemblymen to operate service centres and on the set-up of specific select committees such as one to address fly infestations.
“This may sound funny (select committee for flies), but in reality with a committee in place, issues can be more easily resolved than just discussing it in the state assembly.
“These are some things that we can learn from Perak and discuss during the convention as well,” he said.
Johari said Mohammad Zahir had also brought up old ordinances that must be updated to be current with modern developments.
“This I feel must be done, as just like in Parliament, there are also archaic laws governing the country which require revision,” he added.
On the Parliament Services Act, Johari said he understood that the Cabinet had approved the proposed Bill, and was hopeful it would be debated in the coming parliamentary session.
“I have yet to see the draft. But for sure we will see several actions that must be taken, including that on MPs absent from sittings.
“Although currently under the provision, if an MP failed to turn up for the parliament sessions continuously for six months, the MP could lose his seat. But we need to make improvements to it.
“The improvements should also be on cutting the allowances of MPs if they failed to turn up for a few days,” he added.
