PARLIAMENT | The issue of wild monkeys around Parliament took a light turn in the Dewan Rakyat today after speaker Johari Abdul linked it to the matter of mental health screenings.
He interrupted Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh while the latter was explaining the wild monkey issue and asked that similar attention be given to monkeys disturbing the Parliament compound, but joked that the ones “inside” the Dewan Rakyat could be left alone.
Johari said there will be more monkeys in the Parliament area as they had already entered the compound, including the speaker’s residence.
“The Dewan Negara is the same. Outside is the same. If you shoot them, you’ll be charged.
“I would like to suggest that sterilisation efforts be expedited - we sterilise these monkeys whether through vaccines, food or injections.
“So I hope you will resolve the monkey problem outside. Inside is fine,” he said, drawing laughter from members of the house.
Earlier, Syed Ibrahim was responding to a question from Abdul Latif Abdul Rahman (PN-Kuala Krai) on how authorities were addressing the increasingly widespread problem of wild monkeys.
Keeping health in check
Following Johari’s remarks, Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) stood up to raise another matter.
Awang referred to health screenings previously required by the speaker for MPs and suggested that elected representatives also undergo mental health screenings.
“If the speaker can issue directives for environmental sustainability, perhaps we can conduct mental health screenings - bipolar disorder, if possible - for everyone, including the monkeys outside. We take care of them, we take care inside the chamber too.
“If it applies to me, I accept it. No problem,” he said.
Johari replied that the suggestion from Pendang would be considered.
“Perhaps we will start with Pendang first,” he quipped. - Mkini
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