KUALA LUMPUR: Members of Parliament have been warned against exploiting racial, religious and royal (3R) sentiments, including in Dewan Rakyat debates, as directed by His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, says Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Johari stressed that strict action would be taken against MPs who crossed the red line set in accordance with the King's directive, in order to preserve the harmony and authority of the Parliamentary institution.
He reminded that this includes not taking advantage of the 3R issue or engaging in politics in debates, even though they are protected by parliamentary privileges.
"Ensure that the 3R issue is not used at will because it can invite misunderstandings and create an atmosphere of disharmony among the people and the leadership.
"If I act, do not blame me because His Majesty has himself stressed that the 3R issue cannot be used for personal purposes or to politicise matters that should not be politicised in the Dewan Rakyat," he said in the Parliament Building lobby here on Monday (Jan 19).
The King in his Royal Address at the Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament issued a strong warning against corruption and ordered that action be taken to combat the crime on a large scale, as well as to deal effectively with acts that touch on the 3R issue.
In the meantime, Johari wanted MPs to focus the debate on key issues, including the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), rather than getting bogged down in trivial issues that waste conference time.
"Give constructive views and suggestions to develop the country. Leave the debate on peripheral issues and show maturity by using a clear mind, not emotions," he said.
He said institutional reform measures would continue to ensure that the proceedings were more orderly and focused, including increasing the number of questions to give more space to members of Parliament to raise the people's issues.
Johari also announced that starting this year, the Special Chamber of the Dewan Rakyat would move to a larger conference hall, thus allowing more guests, including students, to follow the proceedings.
He said the Special Chamber focused specifically on representatives of the people and the government to discuss local issues, in connection with which the larger conference hall would allow Members of Parliament to bring residents of their respective constituencies to enable them to hear debates on local issues for themselves.
"I believe this measure will not only increase transparency but also strengthen the relationship between representatives of the people and the people in their constituencies," he said. - Bernama
