PETALING JAYA: The proposal to increase the stipulated fine to punish MPs for any “unparliamentary remark” or “unparliamentary action” in the Dewan Rakyat has received a mixed response from those affected.
PKR’s Hassan Abdul Karim disagreed with the move to increase the fines for unparliamentary behaviour 10-fold, saying they should not be treated like “convicts”.
The Pasir Gudang MP said the proposed RM10,000 fine went against the elected representatives’ rights and freedom as parliamentarians which are guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.
“We should not be punished like convicts in court. We are elected by the people and referred to as ‘Yang Berhormat’,” Hassan told FMT.
Last Friday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said fines for uncouth remarks made during parliamentary sittings may be increased 10-fold, from RM1,000 to RM10,000 per offence. Offending MPs also face the prospect of suspension from house sittings.
Currently, MPs who make racist, sexist, or derogatory remarks in the Dewan Rakyat can be fined up to RM1,000 as well as be suspended from the sittings. However, such a rule has yet to be enforced.
DAP’s Lim Lip Eng said a suspension or the ejection of an MP from a sitting of the lower house would be more effective than slapping them with a hefty fine.
“The possibility of being suspended would terrify MPs who want to raise issues in the Dewan, whether they are backbenchers or opposition. Everyone wants to have a say in the lower house.”
The Kepong MP said an automatic suspension can ensure MPs “watch what they say.”
Bersatu’s Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the Dewan Rakyat must define clearly what would constitute an “uncouth remark”, as a definition that is too broad or vague may lead to abuse.
“Just because some of the MPs are persistent in demanding answers and refuse to obey the speaker, it does not mean their conduct is unparliamentary,” the Machang MP said.
Meanwhile, two government backbenchers expressed support for the proposed measures, viewing them as a means to improve the quality of parliamentary debates.
DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said the measures would cultivate a more respectful environment where all MPs can express their opinions without being subjected to name-calling or derogatory language.
“We cannot deny that there are a few MPs with a tendency to express themselves in a rather ‘colourful’ manner. They may do this for ratings, but this type of behaviour does very little towards policymaking and healthy debates,” she said.
PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said the measures were a good reminder of the importance of maintaining decorum.
“Hopefully, (this would lead to) more policy-oriented debates and less playing on sentiments,” he added. - FMT
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