KUALA LUMPUR: While being absent from Parliament without proper justification is unacceptable, there are currently no plans to make MPs’ attendance compulsory, says Tan Sri Johari Abdul (pic).
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker acknowledged that some MPs do not attend sittings regularly, but their absence may be due to various factors, including health issues.
“What worries me is that many who are neither ill nor sick still do not attend.
“That is why I usually describe MPs as either the ‘good, the bad or the ugly’.
“The good are those who always attend Parliament and participate in debates, and I thank them for their efforts.
“The bad are MPs who attend Parliament but are always complaining about things.
“But the worst are the ugly ones who do not attend Parliament yet go up on stage to talk as though they are attending Parliament every day,” he told reporters after a dialogue with the Malaysian Bar on Wednesday (Dec 12).
The Star recently highlighted the issue of chronic absenteeism by MPs in the Dewan Rakyat based on data from Calmic’s Malaysian MP Dashboard, which tallies attendance from Parliament records.
The dashboard revealed that several high-profile MPs ranked among those with the lowest attendance, with Marang MP Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang topping the list at just 29.8% (67 days). Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein followed with 68 and 82 days respectively.
Many others on the low-attendance list are Cabinet members or state leaders juggling dual roles. Notably, even Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with a 47.6% attendance rate, still logged more days in the House than many on the list, clocking 107 days.
In contrast, 14 MPs achieved perfect attendance, even as lawmakers collectively received over RM322mil in salaries and allowances since taking office.
Johari said MPs, including those in the executive and backbenchers, were sometimes absent from Parliament proceedings because they were attending committee meetings elsewhere or abroad on official duties.
“Those unable to attend due to health reasons will write a letter to inform me of their situation,” he added.
Asked whether action could be taken against errant MPs who are absent without justification, Johari said there are no specific rules under Parliament’s Standing Orders.
“I do not intend to change the rules to make attendance compulsory.
“The MPs stood in the elections and made promises to the people. The onus is on them,” he said.
Johari added that it would be a mockery if he had to play the role of a headmaster with a cane over MPs’ attendance.
“If they are absent, their constituents may punish them in the future,” he said.
