PETALING JAYA: Activist and content creator Roshinee Mookaiah is taking another shot at tackling parliamentary absenteeism, after her first petition in April was rejected over a formatting error.
Through her project, “Dilarang Ponteng Parlimen” (No Parliamentary Truancy), the 32-year-old is once again turning to a little-used parliamentary procedure to push for stricter rules on MPs’ attendance, including shortening the period they can be absent without reason, imposing stronger disciplinary measures, publishing attendance and participation records, and deducting salaries for absences.
Launched single-handedly in April, the initiative uses a parliamentary petition, a formal mechanism through which members of the public can ask the Dewan Rakyat to take action on an issue.
Although rarely used before 2020, the procedure gained attention that year when local NGO Awam used it to push for the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill to be expedited.
Unlike an ordinary public petition, a parliamentary petition, if accepted, requires MPs to discuss the matter and provide a response to the public.
The issue Roshinee is highlighting is reflected in Parliament’s own records.
During the first week of the recent parliamentary meeting, an average of about 25 MPs were absent from proceedings, according to the Hansard.
But attendance figures alone may not tell the whole story, she argues.
Even when only 25 of the 222 MPs are recorded as absent, that does not necessarily mean those present remain in the chamber throughout the meeting.
“Our MPs just have to check into Parliament in the morning to confirm their attendance and claim their allowance, and then they can leave right after, if they so wish,” Roshinee said in an Instagram post promoting the initiative.
Roshinee’s first attempt may have been turned down over a technicality, but it attracted nearly 1,500 physical signatures, alongside strong support from Malaysians at home and abroad.
Now, she is seeking 500 physical signatures from Malaysian adults eligible to sign the petition by this weekend, as required.
To gather the required signatures, Roshinee will hold a collection session this weekend, on Oct 17 and 18, near Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad from 9am to 2pm.
Once the target is met, Roshinee will need an MP to sponsor the petition and table it, together with the signatures, at the next parliamentary meeting before the current session ends in December.
