PETALING JAYA: A backbencher has criticised Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul’s idea to publish the names of MPs who are absent from parliamentary sittings, saying it is not the reform Parliament needs.
Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said the Dewan Rakyat needs more significant reforms, including restoring the Parliamentary Services Act.
“(This) will make Parliament independent from the executive so it can function effectively in line with the doctrine of the separation of powers,” he told FMT.
“MPs need a Speaker, not a class monitor,” he said, adding that a Speaker must have the vision to establish a more meaningful parliamentary democracy.
On Saturday, Johari said the names of MPs who skip parliamentary sittings will be displayed on the Dewan Rakyat website for the benefit of their constituents.
He said he would discuss the idea with a parliamentary committee which includes MPs from both sides of the divide.
Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said that in the interest of fairness, Johari should establish SOPs to deal with absenteeism in the Dewan Rakyat.
“For example, what if an MP is unwell? Do they need medical leave from the health ministry because MPs are not entitled to leave?” she said.
Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden said the plan to name MPs absent from Dewan Rakyat sittings must include ministers and deputy ministers.
“The reason for their absence must also be listed, for example, an illness, official government business and so on,” he said, adding that this would prevent people from having the wrong perceptions about those who could not attend parliamentary sittings.
