Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, in his opening speech at the state assembly last Thursday, stated his disapproval against proposals for live telecast of the sitting.
However, DAP's Mengkibol assemblyperson Tan Hong Pin, when debating the sultan's speech in the state assembly yesterday, expressed a different view.
He noted that in accordance with Commonwealth conventions, the royal speech is a reflection of the government's will and policy direction.
Therefore, Tan (photo) said, when the sultan spoke out against the live telecast, it was a reflection that the state government disagreed with the proposal.
"The government should explain the reasons why it is reluctant to allow the people to follow the sitting through the various channels that are currently available?
"The reason that there are concerns some state assemblypersons may tarnish the image of the state assembly does not arise," Tan said.
'Johor lawmakers are mature'
Tan stressed that he believed the Johor state assemblypersons were mature and could act professionally if treated fairly.
"If indeed there are assemblypersons who behave wildly or use uncouth language, shouldn't such actions be exposed to the people so that the people can see for themselves how their assemblypersons debate in the state assembly?
"If they disagree, let them reject the state assemblyperson through the ballot paper during the general election," he said.
However, Tan said, if the concerns about live telecast of the state assembly sitting are from the Johor Sultan, then he urged the government to convince the monarch on the merits of the proposal.
"If indeed Tuanku Sultan has concerns, then I request that the the government convinces Tuanku by explaining the need and benefits in allowing live telecast (of the sitting)," he said.
Encouraging good behaviour
Tan said he was confident that if live telecasts were implemented, state assemblypersons would behave better, for they would know that they are being observed by the people.
As such, he said, the government should support such a move.
On Thursday, the Johor Sultan, through his son Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibrahim, urged the House speaker to take stern action against state assemblypersons who do not behave properly in the state assembly.
"I have also been informed of requests and demands by a number of state assemblypersons who want the state assembly sitting to be aired live through digital channels.
"However, I do not agree with this proposal as I am worried there will be quarters who will deliberately take advantage to carry out actions that could affect the image of my honourable state assembly," the sultan said.- Mkini
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