Letter to Editor
AT long last, the Dewan Rakyat is set to reconvene on July 26 after around eight months following the Emergency proclamation earlier this year. In his wisdom, the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong has pushed for the federal legislature to meet “as soon as possible” and the Government has acceded.
But I wouldn’t want to pop the champagne just yet over the five-day sitting of the Dewan Rakyat. If past sittings are anything to go by, our lawmakers do not accord the dignity that the House deserves, contrary to the polemics they spew in wanting Parliament to reconvene.
Because the upcoming session is only five days and held after a prolonged hiatus, it is all the more important to make the best of the sitting. In this regard, I wish to remind our MPs to abstain from doing these five things:
1. Turn the House into a circus
Going by past experience, grown men and women, impeccably dressed to dignify the country’s apex legislature, can descend into a schoolyard with name-calling that can put even delinquent schools to shame. Racist and sexist remarks were also passed with utmost callousness in the hallowed chambers and this applies to both sides of the divide.
Do we need such freakshows at a time of unprecedented crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic? Let’s accord Parliament with the respect it is due.
2. Turn Parliament into a rubber stamp
For the longest time, our lawmakers have only “legitimate” and not “legislate” bills brought before them. Which is ironic because as the name suggests, lawmakers’ duties is to, well, “make laws”.
Over the seven months when the Emergency was enforced, many ordinances were passed as the legislatures had been suspended. These will be laid before the House.
Hopefully, MPs will play the effective check-and-balance role that they are supposed to. Scrutinise the bills and government expenses with a fine tooth comb and vote as they deem fit, and not according to party lines.
3. Half-baked debates and replies
If Parliament were to function as an avenue where laws are made and the government is held to account, its proceedings must be up to mark. Debates must be succinct and backed up with hard data, precedents and cogent arguments.
Questions during the Q&A sessions must be relevant and of national interests, not laced with political agenda. Is that too hard to ask?
One just needs to check out the Hansard, available for download at the Parliament website to see how such fundamental requirements are lacking in a legislature that has been around for 64 years. Because the duration of the upcoming meeting is short, it is all the more important to have a fruitful and quality proceeding.
4. Political grandstanding
Parliament and political grandstanding are as synonymous as COVID-19 and face masks. Pre-pandemic, the legislatures were where lawmakers take jibes at their opponents, some more low-blow than others.
The more media attention these antics garner, the better it is for these MPs. But we are living in extraordinary times. We need workers now, not jokers.If there are MPs who cannot contain their urge for political grandstanding during this five-day sitting, then I suggest they take leave from attending.
5. No to confidence vote – for now
While doubt still lingers over the legitimacy of the Mahiaddin administration, especially as Umno threatens to pull out from Perikatan Nasional, there is really no need to put a no-confidence vote to the House – yet.
Going down that road, especially with COVID-19 still all around us, risks the country descending into the fourth wave of the pandemic, especially if it leads to a snap poll.
Have we forgotten about the Sabah election experience last year?
The Prime Minister has said he’d call for a general election once the health situation permits. So, let this Parliamentary sitting focus on passing laws and holding the government in check. Changing the government can wait, until a more suitable time. – July 16, 2021
Thomas Victor
Kluang
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
