“Johari lacks mettle as Dewan Rakyat speaker; a neutral retired Federal judge fits his role best”

 

FORMER PKR three-term Sungai Petani MP (2008-2022) Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul is simply not fit for the esteemed role of Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

That was the damning verdict from former Tabung Haji CEO Major (Rtd) Mohd Ramli Othman who opined that “honestly, Malaysia deserves a more decent and professional Speaker.”

Posting on his MajorRamliothman Facebook page, the legal practitioner believed that “a retired Federal Court Judge with no political ambition and inclination” best fits in the Speaker’s slot.

“Patience, great listening skill and more importantly impartiality, are great attributes which our learned judges have acquired over years of presiding court proceedings.”

The former senior law lecturer at the National Defence University outlined what is expected from a Speaker in the august house with this piece of invaluable advice: “Johari must keep to his humble functions as a moderator, keeping Parliamentary session in good stead and harmony.

“As the Speaker, he sets the mood or mode. He maintains the discipline. He commands the House’s decorum. And equally important, he must be fair and be seen to be acting impartially.”

‘Your time is up, Sir”

Obviously unimpressed by the 70-year-old Speaker’s performance, the former legal advisor to the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) without specifying any specific incident, declared:

“To be involved in the shouting fracas is the least I expected of the Speaker. Johari Abdul has to go. Three years are more than enough for him.”

The verdict is a damning one with the former federal counsel unflatteringly comparing conduct of the once Pakatan Harapan Backbenchers Club’s chairman (2018-2022) to a parking attendant getting involved in petty disagreements:

“The longer he stays, I am afraid the august house’s debate, arguments and disagreements will be akin to road users fight over a parking lot with the parking attendant getting involved in the brawl !!!”

Ramli who is now a legal advisor for Syarikat Perumahan Negara Bhd even went on to respectfully requested the Yang DiPertuan Agong (YDPA) to re-consider the former Kedah state assemblyman’s appointment as Speaker:

“If only His Majesty the YDPA cares to re-visit Johari’s appointment.”

The post has garnered plenty of comments with many agreeing that the current Speaker was not up to the job.

One commenter urged the Speaker to apply Parliamentary Rules “to kick out misbehaving MPs” without having to resort to resort to a shouting match by merely applying parliament rules fairly on both sides to earn their respect.

Lamenting the mentality, one observer opined that the Speaker’s conduct was even worse than the rowdy MPs.

In fact, many claimed the Speaker and the rowdy MPs were peas from the same pod.

However, there was a modicum of sympathy from one commenter who noted that keeping the august house in order in Malaysia was a near impossible task with conduct frequently involving racial and religious invectives, insults and name-calling.

Both sides were guilty of raising their voices, making proceedings unbecoming for the venerated venue. It was further counselled that Malaysian MPs emulate their UK and Singaporean counterparts for decorum.

Given that Parliamentary proceedings here are often rowdy, belligerent and descend into chaos, perhaps Ramli has a valid point that a person with a more even temperament may be better suited to this hugely important role. 

- focus malaysia