YOURSAY | ‘Learn from the speakers of parliaments in other countries who allow open debates.’
Vijay47: It is our national pain that political leaders and heads of core institutions are displaying conduct and attitudes which, in more civilised countries, would have led to their immediate dismissal.
The attorney-general, inspector-general of police, Registrar of Societies director-general, and the chiefs of the MACC and Election Commission offer us no reason for inspiration, admiration, or even respect.
The speaker of Parliament, Pandikar Amin Mulia, has now earned entitlement to membership in this dubious clique.
Pandikar, it defies belief that a person of your age and so-called standing could have made the decisions you did recently and worse, your subsequent justification for such behaviour.
Nobody has denied that you have almost unquestionable power in Parliament, that you have the right, as you have listed, “to reject any motion without the need to justify, that the standing orders gave you liberty to reject questions, and that it was your right to interpret”.
Did it not occur to you that in boasting of the vast authority you wield, not once did you deign to actually explain the reasons for your denial of the motion tabled by the MPs in question? Don’t refer to might, just explain the basis.
In a world that is universally outraged and bewildered by 1MDB and the machinations of businessperson Jho Low, you and the others I have mentioned seem to be the only ones convinced that the scandal and the scoundrel are unrelated to Malaysia.
And your threatening response to the MPs questioning your failure can only be described as setting new records.
Turvy: I think the Dewan Rakyat speaker has got the logic wrong. He may have an unfettered right to reject a motion without giving any reason.
However, those wanting to raise a matter that they believe is of national importance are not compelled to remain silent about their dissatisfaction. They can give reasons for their dissatisfaction.
Parliament is not a board game of dice and tokens where everyone is entitled to rely on the rules for their action or inaction.
The speaker must first understand the role and purpose of a parliament in a democracy. He must acknowledge the importance of the place as a forum to discuss national issues by elected representatives, whatever the source of the issues and however uncomfortable it may be for some to discuss it.
He may have the rules in his favour to reject a motion arbitrarily, but even then, he is duty-bound to open the platform for matters of great national interest.
If he does not share the view that all that is happening around the world concerning 1MDB is of national interest, he has no right to complain about anything that is said about his arbitrary action.
Parliament is not his. He is a moderator of proceedings, not a censor. He must have his eyes and ears tuned on national matters and not be blind to issues that are being discussed all over the world about this country.
If the speaker sticks by a right he claims he has to reject such an important motion, he must also bear the views of those who feel that the 1MDB is an important national issue, and not ask for an apology.
Anonymous #21828131: Pandikar, why don't you learn from the speakers of parliaments of other Commonwealth countries?
They allow for open debates on matters that concern their citizens, and that is the main purpose of elected representatives in Parliament as they represent the voting populace in their own constituencies.
Anonymous #13571680: Speaker, remember you are being paid by the rakyat and we expect you to function the way the rakyat expect, and that is according to the rules of Parliament and democracy - not according to your whims and fancy.
If you can’t and feel insulted, please resign. Maybe you need to be educated on the role of the speaker. The way you talk and function do not befit that of a House speaker.
Anonymous 6489007512643862: I cried when reading this article. As expected, Malaysians have shown that they are very friendly and helpful if there are fellow Malaysians in need.
We have Taiping MP Nga Kor Ming offering free legal aid to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, should he feel insulted and aggrieved by the insinuation in the article from The Economist.
The Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief was also offered legal aidwhen he was prepared to forgo almost RM1 million after the Australian government decided to confiscate his Australian bank account based on some mere suspicion.
It warms the cockles of my heart to know that Malaysians are so helpful and ever ready to come to the aid of a fellow Malaysian in need, no matter what the status of the said Malaysian is.
It just shows that we Malaysians do not think that status is important but will go all out of our way to help any Malaysian.
Cogito Ergo Sum: Please keep your money, YBs. Crowd fund this. This is a battle for all Malaysians who have lost our dignity through The Economist’s article. When they call the prime minister of Malaysia a thief, it reflects badly on all of us 31 million inhabitants.
Umno should start by passing the proverbial hat round first. How could that ‘Jewish-run’ publication insult an entire country? Ban them as a first step and close their offices here. Then sue them at the Old Bailey.
Anonymous: Nga is right to tear up The Economist’s report for calling our prime minister a "thief” and saying that he is going to "steal" GE14.
If Najib has any dignity and integrity left, sue the Wall Street Journal and Economist, and do not give any more excuses for not taking legal action. The country and people are implicated here and being accused unfairly.
By keeping quiet or not doing anything, it would give the impression that what they said about Najib is indeed true. Anyone beg to differ?
Malaysia4All: Syabas, Nga. Love the video!
It beggars belief that an innocent party such as Najib still refuses to sue after he has been “slandered” left, right and centre in such a sustained manner by renowned international media using what Umno ministers deem as "fake news". -Mkini
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