KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor has told lawmakers to behave after being asked "how is the zoo?" during a casual encounter at a mamak shop.
He asked MPs to observe decorum when they were in the Dewan Rakyat.
"Yesterday (Jan 15), when I went to a mamak restaurant, something happened to me. They recognised me, and asked 'YB, how is the zoo?'
"I was shocked. This is the impression that people have of us, so I hope MPs hold on to your ethics and virtue," he said before adjourning for Question Time on Thursday (Feb 16).
He also reminded the MPs to give their attention to the MP or minister who is talking.
"Based on Section 41 of the Standing Order, I hope there will be no 'small meetings' held when the Dewan Rakyat session is ongoing," he said.
Ramli also reminded MPs that decisions made by the Speaker or deputy speakers are final.
"This is based on Sections 43, 99 and 99(A) of the Standing Order."
On Wednesday (Feb 15), Ramli had reminded MPs to comply with the code of ethics when the house is in session as proceedings were being aired live.
He also told the MPs not to use insulting or unparliamentary words and language.
Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, when tabling the special allocation (mini budget), also reminded MPs to maintain discipline and good manners so as not to violate any standing order during the Dewan Rakyat sitting.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin in an interview with The Star has vowed that it would not turn the august house into a "zoo" when scrutinising government policies.
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