Unacceptable that Bung got away with F-bomb, says academic

Academic Tajuddin Rasdi says MPs who use unparliamentary language should have their allowances suspended as this will hurt their pockets.

The Dewan Rakyat descended into chaos after Bung Moktar shouted ‘F*** you’ at Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin during a debate on the sales and services tax. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: An academic has called on the speaker and his deputies to do more than ask for a retraction when MPs use vulgar language in the Dewan Rakyat, saying it is unacceptable that Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin got away with shouting “F*** you” at another parliamentarian yesterday.

Tajuddin Rasdi.

This was the second time in a row that an MP had used vulgarities in the Dewan in as many days.

“The people must put pressure on the speaker not to accept this kind of behaviour in the ‘new Malaysia’ because this is not our culture, and it certainly isn’t what we teach our children,” UCSI lecturer Tajuddin Rasdi told FMT.

“The MPs must also realise they have a duty to uphold the Rukun Negara, and one of the five principles is ‘kesopanan dan kesusilaan’ (good behaviour and morality).”

Tajuddin added that MPs who behaved badly should have their allowances suspended instead of merely being ejected from the Dewan Rakyat.

“MPs who behave in such a manner must have their pockets hit hard. If we just eject them, they are getting a paid day off. They must work,” he said, adding that MPs had a duty to represent and air the grouses of their constituents.

He also urged the people, especially NGOs and those on social media, to put pressure on political parties to reprimand their MPs and keep them in place.

Tawfik Ismail.

Former Sungai Benut MP Tawfik Ismail meanwhile said the MP must be reminded that he was chosen by his electorate to speak on their behalf.

“This mandate must be respected and the dignity of his constituents must be upheld by his good behaviour and manners in Parliament.

“Everything is recorded in the Hansard. Do MPs want to be laughed at or scorned after they depart? The Hansard is forever; MPs are not.”

Former Kepong MP Tan Seng Giaw said he believed MPs who resorted to such behaviour were only seeking attention.

“If the media highlights the actions of someone who always speaks eloquently, more MPs will do that. The thing is, many people want attention and they don’t care how they get it.”

Dr Tan Seng Giaw.

Yesterday, the Dewan Rakyat descended into chaos after Bung Moktar shouted “F*** you” at Puncak Borneo MP Willie Mongin during a debate on the sales and services tax.

This came after Lipis MP Abdul Rahman Mohamad shouted “P****ak” in the Dewan on Monday. The obscene term is considered highly offensive.

Deputy Speaker Rashid Hasnon let Bung Moktar off the hook by asking him to retract his offensive statement.

Bung Moktar agreed but added: “Puncak Borneo has had drinks with prostitutes.”

This sparked an uproar among Pakatan Harapan MPs who wanted Bung to be booted out under Standing Order 44 (2) for not more than 10 days. -FMT