MPs need to change attitude to initiate parliamentary transformation

The implementation of parliamentary transformation must begin with the Members of Parliament (MPs) changing their attitude and voicing out the people's voice, rather than the voice of their respective political parties.

Chairman of the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Council (BNBBC) Tan Sri Shahrir Samad said each MP must be able to engage sincerely in the debate in Parliament and not merely bandying their political ideologies.

"MPs were elected by the people to voice out their problems in Parliament and to find solutions for it, but the people's disappointment with the Parliament begins when MPs debate as politicians," he said.

Shahrir was speaking as a panelist in the 'Demokrasi' talkshow, which was telecast by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) last night.

The other two panelists were PAS Information Chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi and DAP Chief Whip Anthony Loke Siew Fook.

Nasrudin also agreed that the parliamentary transformation must start with the MPs and that there must be better quality of debate.

Nasrudin said, at present, the language used by the MPs did not show the much quality of a Parliament, but had made it to be seen more as a 'wet market'.

As such, he said in order to implement a parliamentary transformation, MPs must be able to control what came out of their mouth, have legal background, and not be bound by political parties, in ensuring that their speeches are of high quality and acceptable.

Meanwhile, Loke felt the parliamentary transformation should be gradually implemented and not done in a drastic manner, so that they are acceptable to all parties.

Last January, the Cabinet agreed with three of the four core proposals for the amendment to the Dewan Rakyat Standing Orders for the implementation of parliamentary transformation.

The core proposals which were accepted in the Cabinet meeting were amendments to the oral questions, creating a Special Chambers and a Minister's Question-and Answer Session.

However, the Cabinet decided to postpone the proposal to the fourth amendment, to create new Selection Committees.