Home Web Specials Fines aren’t enough for foul-mouthed MPs

Fines aren’t enough for foul-mouthed MPs

Meting out harsher punishment could raise the standard of debate in the august chamber for the benefit of participating MPs and the observing public

Join us on Telegram and Instagram for the latest.

In a move to ‘cleanse’ the House of Representatives of racist and sexist remarks, Speaker Johari Abdul recently announced his plan to impose fines on wayward parliamentarians.

Although there is already a provision to deal with this under the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, it has never been applied, he said.

Johari plans to increase the fine to more than RM1,000; perhaps, one fine imposed per objectionable utterance.

There have been instances where certain women MPs had to bear off-colour jokes and mischievous comments by sexist colleagues.

When caught with their pants down, the offending MPs would plead they had been misunderstood or that their utterances were taken out of context – that is, after a snigger.

Similarly, certain derogatory terms were hurled at MPs of a certain racial background. These were clearly provocative and downright racist, and did not add any value to the ongoing debate.

If anything, such vile remarks only distract MPs from focusing on the issues at hand as they waste precious time trading barbs.

MPs who misbehave in such a manner are generally given a slap on the wrist or worse, let off the hook. It is obvious that the kid glove treatment is not a panacea for grave misconduct.

Apart from fines, what is needed is for guilty MPs to be given a crash course in parliamentary decorum, patriarchy, social justice, equality, human dignity, sexism and women’s rights.

This is short of recommending that their framed photos be hung on a wall of shame.

Hopefully, this would help certain male MPs see their female colleagues as beings with intelligence and capability, deserving of dignified treatment.

READ MORE:  Jalin perjanjian damai antara parti selepas pilihan raya demi kestabilan politik (Malay/English)

One would also hope that such a move would reduce prejudice and discrimination against other races.

Meting out harsher punishment could raise the standard of debate in the august chamber not only for the benefit of participating MPs but also for the observing public.

Hopefully, in the long run, the title “Yang Berhormat” would remain honourable. – The Malaysian Insight

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:
Avatar photo
Dr Mustafa K Anuar, a longtime executive committee member and former honorary secretary of Aliran, is, co-editor of our newsletter. He obtained his PhD from City, University of London and is particularly interested in press freedom and freedom of expression issues. These days, he is a a senior journalist with an online media portal
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Most Read

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x