He said the existing regulations and standing orders were silent on the matter and it was necessary to introduce the new clause to prevent "disrespectful" incidents, referring to the opening of the assembly sitting on March 31, when Pakatan Rakyat assemblymen turned up wearing black to protest the jailing of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, among other issues.
They should have been wearing the formal dress code required of assemblymen as it was the opening of the third session of the state assembly sitting.
"We will be discussing this in the Standing Order committee meeting, and I will propose for the clause to be introduced under the provision of Standing Order 10," Devamany told reporters at a press conference this morning.
Devamany, who also chairs the Perak Standing Orders Committee, said the new clause would make it compulsory in the future for assemblymen to observe the dress code for the opening of the state assembly sitting which is officiated by the Sultan of Perak.
"The opening of the state assembly is a ceremonial affair and not to be confused with the first day of the sitting.
"If (they) want to take any action, it should be on the first day of the assembly sitting (and) not during the rites of the ceremonial opening.
"It is like an invitation, like a wedding invitation to the house," he said.
Devamany said introducing amendments in the Standing Orders was a mark of respect for Malaysia's democratic system with a constitutional monarchy.
"There are no provisions for this (dress code) necessity and that is why we want to make the amendments to ensure this system is not threatened.
He said people may not understand the propriety required for lawmakers as there were many who were "young blood" among the assemblymen.
"As the Speaker, I am taking the necessary measures to protect the virtue of the august house," he said.
- TMI
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