The present standard of debate in Parliament is simply unacceptable.

Aliran is concerned that of late some MPs have proven to be insensitive, crude and downright rude in Parliament. The recent conduct of Jerai MP Datuk Badruddin Amirruldin is a case in point. The Star quoted him today as having said, "I am talking about Muslims. I am not talking about keling."

His subsequent explanation that "in Kedah, keling was used by the northerners to refer to Indians" is not acceptable. He should remember that when the word "keling" was included in the Dewan Kamus, even the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), whose members include those from Kedah, took strong objection to this term and wanted it withdrawn.

Again, his remark "This is a fasting month. I don't want to argue with people who don't understand, who do not fast" is divisive and discriminatory. Does it mean that he will have no dialogue with his constituents who are not Muslims and who do not fast when he does? What is he implying about people who do not fast? Are they unworthy? What about his colleagues from MIC, Gerakan, MCA, PPP, and those from Sabah and Sarawak? As an MP, how can he refuse to engage those "who do not fast" in debate and discussion?

At a time when the country is calling for religious tolerance and acceptance, such remarks undermine the government's efforts in promoting national unity and therefore should not go unpunished.

There are several ways of reining in such behaviour and preserving the dignity of Parliament.

The Speaker of the House should not allow any debate to sink into a free-for-all ruckus with name-calling, ethnic insults and slurs, and rude and crude behaviour. He should not brook any nonsense either from the Barisan or the Opposition and should.promptly haul up or suspend offending MPs, if necessary referring them to the Privileges Committee. Very often, the Speaker only orders offensive words to be withdrawn after strenuous efforts and complaints by others. Even then the offender is not asked to apologise for his or her unbecoming conduct.

The Barisan Whip has control over the BN MPs and can chastise those who resort to insensitive remarks.

The Back Benchers Club have a responsibilty to call for a caucus among their ranks to educate their fellow MPs on what is acceptable behaviour and on how to improve the quality of debate.

While we are informed about such insensitive and derogatory comments by certain MPs through the media, Aliran would like to see the media playing a stronger role in taking MPs to task over the quality and level of debate in the House.

It is not enough to highlight gutter comments. The media must also present more comprehensive reports of the proceedings in Parliament, especially the substance of debates involving crucial issues or policy matters. At present, arguments put forth for or against a motion before the House are hardly given the space they deserve. Opposition contribution to the debate is seldom highlighted.

When the media take a more critical and analytical approach to reporting on Parliament, they will spur MPs to a higher standard of debate. The present standard is simply unacceptable.


Aliran Executive Committee
26 October 2005

---

Please support our work by buying a copy of our print publication, Aliran Monthly, from your nearest news-stand. Better still take out a subscription now. If you prefer to read our web-based edition, please support our work and make a donation. You can now make payments online via credit card.

---