PETALING JAYA: It is unnecessary to implement mandatory mental health screenings for MPs as present requirements are enough to ascertain whether an individual is fit to be a lawmaker, say observers.
According to them, unruly behaviour in the august House is often a reflection of political culture, rather than mental health problems.
For Projek Sama co-founder Thomas Fann, the Federal Constitution already stipulates that “having a sound mind” as an implicit requirement for anyone seeking public office.
“However, I would be very cautious about introducing mandatory mental health screenings for MPs or political candidates.
“Such measures, if not designed with strong and transparent safeguards, could be misused by an incumbent government to sideline or disqualify political opponents under the guise of medical assessment.
“That would pose a serious risk to democratic competition and fairness,” said Fann, who added that the uncivil behaviour that is some times seen in Parliament may not necessarily have anything to do with one’s mental health.
“It is more often a matter of political culture, discipline as well as enforcement of standing orders.
“The focus should therefore be on strengthening parliamentary rules, ethics standards and accountability mechanisms, rather than medicalising political conduct,” said Fann.
On Feb 12, Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim suggested mandatory mental health screening for all MPs, while Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who was presiding over the then session, replied that he is open to the idea.
Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research senior fellow Dr Azmi Hassan said even though mental health struggles remain a serious issue in the country, it is certainly not to the extent that mental health screenings should be mandated for MPs.
“I am worried that we will be the laughing stock of the world if this suggestion is taken seriously,” said Azmi.
He added that Johari was actually giving a sarcastic reply to Awang’s proposal because he often had to preside over proceedings that involve uninspiring debates.
“The quality of the debates is so low that people are disinterested to watch live proceedings.
“On this, I think all MPs must do their homework. So, no more shouting matches and name-calling,” Azmi added.
