KUALA LUMPUR: Mediation and a healthier Parliament are two things that stood out in the past two years under Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s (pic) tenure as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
Instead of giving errant MPs the boot from the House, Johari has chosen a more diplomatic approach by talking to MPs and advising them, only warning them if needed.
Having served as an MP for 15 years, the Sungai Petani, Kedah, native said he understood why some tended to misbehave even when warnings were issued.
He said he prefers to have conversations with MPs in person to resolve any disputes.
“But if they cross the line I will still get them out. So far, some people have felt that I am a bit soft,” he said.
“They also have to understand that if I am to get them out (suspended) for six months, their constituencies will be left without an MP for that period.
“To me, the best approach is still to call them and talk to them,” he added in a special interview with The Star.
Johari said MPs who want action to be taken can file a motion to the privileges committee, which will look into the matter.
“Of course, there will be no excitement but I cannot be pushing people out (all the time),” he said.
In the past two years, there have been two prominent suspensions, both involving lawmakers from Perikatan Nasional.
Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal was suspended for six months in July last year for citing an unverified poison pen letter and Pendang MP Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim got 10 days last December for insulting the Speaker.
Also notable under Johari are mandatory medical check-ups for all MPs and every Wednesday being designated as a sugar-free drinks day in Parliament.
The moves are implemented in support of the Health Ministry’s war on sugar as well as to encourage MPs to walk and exercise via X-Break for a healthier approach in Parliament.
X-Break involves doing light stretching exercises at the workplace.
“The inititatives are going really well and have been rather effective. The no-sugar campaign is good, with many MPs saying it is the right move to cut down sugar intake.
“As for the health check-ups, that was a very tall order but everyone complied with it.
“Some MPs feared such checks because they didn’t want to know what was wrong with their bodies. Now they come and tell me they discovered what health issues they had,” he added.
To Johari, who turns 70 in May, while mandating medical checks for MPs is important, just as essential is for Parliament to have their records.
He said they can do their health tests in a different state but a copy of their records has to be sent to Parliament.
“Should anything happen to them here, we know what is going on (with their health condition),” he said, adding that he has seen over 10 MPs collapsing in Parliament.
“It was too late for anything to be done as there was no record available at that time. A record is important to administer medical procedures,” said Johari, whose son Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari, the Sungai Petani MP, is a medical doctor.
The Speaker also tries to walk the talk.
“I advise MPs to take walks as an exercise, a practice I adopt,” he said.
