MPs divided over Speaker’s proposal to dock allowances

 

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said he was mulling the idea of docking the allowances of absent MPs.

PETALING JAYA: The proposal to deduct allowances of MPs who are absent from the Dewan Rakyat sittings has drawn mixed reactions from parliamentarians.

Parti Bangsa Malaysia’s Julau MP Larry Sng said it was unfair to “punish” MPs as they also have other responsibilities that might require them to be away from Parliament.

“Some may need to return to their constituencies, and MPs who are ministers or involved in government-linked companies (GLCs) may have other official duties,” he told FMT.

On Tuesday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said he was mulling the idea of docking the allowances of absent MPs.

According to The Star, Johari said MPs received an allowance of RM500 a day, but some only attended sittings for five minutes and left after that.

DAP’s Lim Lip Eng suggested that the Speaker should consider suspending or expelling parliamentarians, which he said was more effective than docking allowances.

“The amount of allowance deducted isn’t going to be significant. MPs would be more concerned about being suspended,” the Kepong MP said.

PKR’s Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung said he agreed with Johari’s proposal as it would be fair to those who attend Dewan Rakyat sittings.

“There is no excuse for MPs to miss sessions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Bersatu information chief Razali Idris said MPs might have valid reasons for missing sittings.

However, he was in favour of naming MPs who frequently skip sittings without valid reasons.

“Sometimes, absenteeism in Parliament is related to health issues and some MPs have assignments outside Parliament,” he said, adding that even ministers and deputy ministers have missed sittings. - FMT