Next sitting, I’m no more the nice guy, Ariff warns MPs

The Dewan Rakyat speaker says he is bent on ensuring MPs behave themselves, and that debates are more intellectual to reflect a reformed Parliament.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof is out to show he means business when he tells MPs to behave.

KUALA LUMPUR: There was intense attention on the Dewan Rakyat when newly elected MPs returned to Parliament after the historic May general election, but for Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, it has been a disappointment.

The ex-judge promises to be more strict in the second sitting, after a string of shouting matches which saw MPs not only using the usual “unparliamentary language”, but also blatantly swearing at each other.

In a recent interview with FMT, Ariff, seen as the poster boy for what many were hoping would be a reformed Parliament, said no amount of reforms would help if MPs continue to treat the House like a “pasar malam” (night market).

He was clearly shocked at the behaviour of MPs.

“This is not your pasar malam. There is no respect for ladies or for school children who may be at the public gallery,” he told FMT.

The first sitting since PH took over the government saw the normal shouting matches and walkouts, but it was the use of the four-letter word by Barisan Nasional’s Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin that shocked Malaysians.

“They call it Malaysia Baru but we have old actors from both sides,” said Ariff. “It is not enough to change institutions. We have to change the parliamentary culture. That is human behaviour,” he said.

Ariff says he will no longer be the nice guy when the Dewan Rakyat meets again, saying MPs using foul words could be suspended, and their allowances blocked.

“We have to look at hitting them where it hurts.

“They have been living in their comfort zone. They have to realise that we have to restore the dignity of Parliament,” he said.

Ariff has been criticised for not being tough enough on Bung, who was let off after he apologised.

He said he understood his critics, but defended his decision as something that was appropriate at that time.

“At that time, the decision was to retract and to issue an apology. But the next day I felt it was better to make it clearer,” he said.

He said after he promised to suspend those who use foul language, the MPs were more well behaved.

“Those from the government side too have been polite and careful.”

Ariff said the only way a parliament could function well is if MPs could control their emotions.

He said one of his goals is to ensure that the Dewan Rakyat exhausts all discussions before a law is passed.

“Policies must be people-driven and discussed, not rushed through,” he said, and gave as an example the Anti Fake News Act which was passed days before Parliament was dissolved to make way for the 14th general election.

“The reality is, there was very little public input before the bill was passed and more outcry after the event. It is usually drafted by the relevant ministries and the Attorney-General’s Chambers.”

He said Dewan Rakyat would now have several committees to debate on any major policy affecting the public.

“Call in experts, have more debates. And for that, we need mature and intellectual debates.” -FMT