Teoh El Sen
Mon Apr 29 2013
PARLIAMENT: Where MPs should be spending more time
Do you want your elected representatives to look after your drains or use his/her brains for policy-making?
I, as a ratepayer, would like my MP to spend more of his/her intellectual energy to make laws and debate real issues in Parliament.
In a more ideal world, my MP or state assemblyman does not need to get down and dirty and clean up the streets.
That job is for the local authorities and departments specifically tasked with such issues.
The sight of MPs often in the media inspecting and pointing at drains does not inspire my confidence in the direction our lawmakers are taking the nation.
During the popularity race this 13th General Election, I would sometimes ask campaigning candidate what law, exactly, does he/she feel should be introduced or amended: Almost all of them I have spoken to lately would look stumped at this question.
In any case, I don't think we should all point fingers at our politicians for neglecting an essential part of nation building, and look at ourselves too.
One of the main motivation for politicians to do all they do is to win votes.
And they'd be 'politically right' in choosing to talk about drains. A recent study by the UM Centre of Democracy & Election (UMCEDEL) found that being “friendly and [able to] solve the problems of the rakyat” is the number one criteria for the rakyat in choosing their representative.
Both the people and the politicians are to blame if all the elected representative talks about is micro issues, when lawmaking is equally, if not more, important. This was what political analyst Ibrahim Suffian said.
“While the Malaysian public generally understand that politicians are policy makers, they expect them to address all local issues, big and small. More people need to begin to understand that the candidates they choose ought to debate important issues, bring up something higher and not be so fixated on giving out goodies every weekend,” said Ibrahim.
Ibrahim also said, and I agree with him, that local government elections would help.
The local authority is the "first layer of government service", and when it fails to deliver, you can't blame the rakyat to expect the YB to do everything from A-Z.
But to do all this, a process of education is needed.
I like how a politician admitted that it was now largely a more mature audience and rakyat that is pushing politicians to act more maturely.
And so for our politicians to stop just showing their smiling faces only during elections and thinking they deserve to be patted in the back for giving out taxpayers money-- we need the people to start asking for it.
Perhaps there should be a balance, as a YB who totally brushes off a voter who needs help-- saying his/her job is only policies-- is just looking for trouble.
Former Selangor speaker Datuk Teng Chang Khim honestly admitted that politicians and the public are not interested in talking about big laws and policies.
“People are more concerned with other issues, so naturally the candidates and politicians will have to talk about those issues that most people are interested in,” the DAP politician said.
He claims that Pakatan Rakyat has a big solution by talking about reforming the way the legislative, executive and judiciary operates.
Teng said that one thing that Pakatan Rakyat Selangor is proposing is to restore the independence of the legislative, both at state and federal level.
Malaysia is supposed to operate under the doctrine of the separation of powers where there is a division of executive, legislative and judicial powers between the branches of government.
While I don't claim to know everything about how a good government should operate, I am sure many Malaysians would roll their eyes with my when we see MPs arguing about petty matters and politicking in the 'zoo' that is Parliament.
So who do we depend on to fix our drains? Perhaps we should start using our brains and force ourselves to start asking for better politicians and better drains that won't need constant fixing.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.