Televise parliamentary committee meetings, says Azalina

 

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said had said she was ‘bewildered’ that Malaysia was unable or refuses to find ways to facilitate parliamentary sittings.

PETALING JAYA: Parliamentary committee meetings should be televised “live” for greater public participation in the democratic process, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said says.

“If we look at the positive side, this is the best time for the select committees (SCs) to run real-time, like in most countries. The hearing is telecasted, and each select committee has its own room and manpower.

“If you telecast it and get public participation, you will allow a constant dialogue between the public, MPs and relevant agencies,” she told a webinar titled “Should Parliament Be a Full-Time Institution” organised by the Jeffrey Sachs Center today.

“Technology will be a great advantage to assist the process of democracy. That is my personal view,” she said when answering a question from moderator Wong Chin Huat who had asked if the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and special select committees’ meetings should be televised.

She added that special select committees should be utilised as an alternative tool to promote executive accountability and transparency.

She said as the committees run parallel with the parliamentary session, the committees should be allowed to reconvene and conduct meetings.

Previously, Azalina, who is also chairman of the parliamentary select committee on women, children and social development affairs, had spoken against the continued suspension of Parliament, saying she was “bewildered” that Malaysia was unable or refuses to find ways to facilitate parliamentary sittings.

She said this effectively prevented MPs, who are members of the SCs, from investigating and scrutinising issues affecting Malaysians and publishing their findings and recommendations.

She added that with the legislature’s functions “emasculated” and SCs’ activities terminated, the Executive appears to have “free rein” over the affairs of the country during the Emergency.

However, the Prime Minister’s Office announced recently that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will advise the King to reconvene Parliament on July 26.

Muhyiddin will advise the King to call for a five-day Dewan Rakyat sitting from July 26 to 29 and on Aug 2.

“The purpose of this sitting is to explain the national recovery plan to MPs and to amend all relevant legislation and rules to allow for Parliament proceedings to be held in a hybrid manner,” PMO said. - FMT