KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 6): Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul clarified that he did not intend to shame Members of Parliament by suggesting that the names of MPs found to be absent from parliamentary sittings would be made public.
"Firstly, I never intended to shame the MPs. Secondly, I have also stated that MPs may have other commitments and may not necessarily be present in the august house all the time. Please read the news reports accurately," Johari said in response to Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) in Dewan Rakyat on Monday.
Earlier, during the debate session for Budget 2024 in the committee stage, Ronald Kiandee emphasised that the issue of MPs attending parliamentary sittings must be carefully considered and discussed in detail and it cannot be a unilateral decision made by the Speaker alone.
"Reports suggest that the Speaker wants to penalise MPs who are absent from the sittings. But, what is the Dewan trying to achieve? Does this approach also apply to MPs from the executive side, or is it only directed at government backbenchers and the opposition?" he asked.
He noted that from the perspective of attendance, there should be no discrimination between the opposition and the executive.
Citing Parliamentary Standing Order 13, Kiandee pointed out that a sitting is allowed to proceed even with only three MPs in attendance. Only when MPs raise the issue of quorum to the presiding Speaker does the issue of quorum need to be addressed.
"The standing order addresses the issue of quorum. I don't understand how the Speaker looks at MPs' attendance. Does the Speaker want full attendance every time the Parliament sits?" said Kiandee.
He added that it was impossible for ministers and deputy ministers to be in the Dewan all the time, as they have official duties outside the Dewan that they need to fulfil.
"I agree that MPs have a responsibility to attend parliamentary sittings. However, attendance is also subjective. An MP can sit in the Dewan for just one minute and then leave, and it's still considered as attending the sitting. So, how do you define attendance?"
Kiandee criticised the Speaker's remarks on "Ponteng Parlimen" for painting MPs from both sides of the aisle in a negative light. Thus, he suggested that these perceptions need to be corrected.
Last Saturday (Nov 4), Johari was reported as saying that the names of MPs found to be deliberately absent from parliamentary sittings would be displayed on the Dewan Rakyat website so that their constituents could be informed of the matter.
Johari mentioned that this was one of the improvements being implemented to increase MPs’ attendance during Dewan Rakyat sittings, considering their responsibilities and duties towards the parliamentary constituency and the constituents they represent.
He also indicated that he would discuss this suggestion with the parliamentary committee, which includes MPs from both the government and opposition blocs.
Johari open to criticism outside Dewan Rakyat
On a different note, Johari expressed his willingness to accept criticism, provided that it occurs outside the Dewan Rakyat.
"Unlike the previous Speaker, I will respond to any comments made within Dewan Rakyat that question my credibility and decisions. However, anyone is free to criticise me outside the Dewan Rakyat," he conveyed to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who inquired whether he would take action against individuals criticising him outside the Dewan Rakyat.
"YB wants to play politics, go ahead. Don't get me involved," Johari added.
Last Friday (Nov 3), Leader of the Opposition Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin reportedly raised doubts about Johari's credibility as the Speaker, alleging unfair treatment of opposition MPs during debates.
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