PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul has defended his proposal to increase fines for unparliamentary behaviour 10-fold from RM1,000 to a maximum of RM10,000 per offence.
Johari said the proposal was reasonable, especially considering previous cases of MPs making inappropriate statements against women or using abusive words during debates, as well as individuals behaving like “gangsters” in Parliament.
He said the proposed fines would not unduly burden the MPs as they received up to RM25,000 in allowances each month.
“Are they kids? No, they are not. They are all adults. Don’t tell me I have to stay silent about this?
“They can afford it. So, the question is not about the fine. It’s about them debating and behaving properly. That’s it,” Johari told FMT.
Currently, MPs who make racist, sexist or derogatory remarks in the Dewan Rakyat can be fined up to RM1,000 as well as be suspended from the sittings.
Johari’s proposal to increase the fine to punish MPs for any “unparliamentary remark” or “unparliamentary action” in the Dewan Rakyat has received mixed response.
Among those who disagreed is Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim of PKR, who said the proposed RM10,000 fine went against parliamentarians’ rights and freedom as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution. He said MPs should not be treated like “convicts”.
Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal of Bersatu said the Dewan Rakyat must define clearly what would constitute an “uncouth remark” as a definition that was too broad or vague might lead to abuse.
Addressing their concerns, Johari explained that those charged with violating Parliament’s rules would first be referred to the bipartisan Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee, where they would have an opportunity to defend themselves.
“The fines range from RM1,000 to RM10,000. It’s not an automatic RM10,000,” he pointed out. - FMT
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