Newbie MPs turn House sittings into a circus
NST (24/5/08): In the 1990 movie, Kindergarten Cop, Arnold Schwarzenegger's character, John Kimble, had a tough time dealing with a classroom full of bratty pre-schoolers.
Judging from their current behaviour, the Terminator will have an even tougher time dealing with our Yang Berhormat.
Since Parliament convened on April 28, not a day has gone by where the House proceedings went on uninterrupted.
Newcomers like Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) joined old hands like Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) and Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) in keeping the House's mercury on a constant high.
This week was no exception with the antics of Tajuddin, who stomped in frustration when his incessant protests over an alleged transgression by an opposition MP were cut short by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
Gobalakrishnan is also steadily earning a bad reputation among his fellow MPs and reporters covering the House proceedings with his loud, street fighter behaviour.
On Wednesday, he caused a stir with accusations of a serious breach in Parliament security.
In a 20-minute tirade, he said some unknown persons had deposited a scurrilous pamphlet in his pigeon hole casting aspersions on PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Who are these cheap humans? What if this was a bomb? What happens then to the safety of Parliament?
"I know there are agents here who are enemies of Anwar and the moment his name is mentioned, they are afraid. They are cowards who are not brave enough to meet Anwar," he said to both howls of protests and puzzled looks from Barisan Nasional lawmakers.
Ministers who were replying to points raised by MPs were constantly interrupted during the debate on royal address with trivial questions - dragging the allocated three days to five, and the day's sitting until late at night.
Their favourite expression?
Point of Order - referring to the Standing Order whenever they wanted to make their views across.
Some newbies even joined in the fray by citing Point of Order, only to be caught with their pants down by the Speaker when they did not know which order to cite.
While the drama can be at times entertaining and breaks the monotony of a long and dreary day, constant misbehaviour can turn feelings of amusement into frustration.
Going by the MPs' conduct, one would be forgiven for thinking one had stumbled into a pre-school instead.
Such immature antics not only are a waste of precious time that could be used to discuss important national issues but they also affect the sanctity of the august House.
It's time our elected representatives realised that the art of playing to the gallery is over. The people want a serious working MP, one who has their best interest at heart.
Judging from their current behaviour, the Terminator will have an even tougher time dealing with our Yang Berhormat.
Since Parliament convened on April 28, not a day has gone by where the House proceedings went on uninterrupted.
Newcomers like Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak), N. Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) joined old hands like Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur), Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent-Pasir Mas) and Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) in keeping the House's mercury on a constant high.
This week was no exception with the antics of Tajuddin, who stomped in frustration when his incessant protests over an alleged transgression by an opposition MP were cut short by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
Gobalakrishnan is also steadily earning a bad reputation among his fellow MPs and reporters covering the House proceedings with his loud, street fighter behaviour.
On Wednesday, he caused a stir with accusations of a serious breach in Parliament security.
In a 20-minute tirade, he said some unknown persons had deposited a scurrilous pamphlet in his pigeon hole casting aspersions on PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"Who are these cheap humans? What if this was a bomb? What happens then to the safety of Parliament?
"I know there are agents here who are enemies of Anwar and the moment his name is mentioned, they are afraid. They are cowards who are not brave enough to meet Anwar," he said to both howls of protests and puzzled looks from Barisan Nasional lawmakers.
Ministers who were replying to points raised by MPs were constantly interrupted during the debate on royal address with trivial questions - dragging the allocated three days to five, and the day's sitting until late at night.
Their favourite expression?
Point of Order - referring to the Standing Order whenever they wanted to make their views across.
Some newbies even joined in the fray by citing Point of Order, only to be caught with their pants down by the Speaker when they did not know which order to cite.
While the drama can be at times entertaining and breaks the monotony of a long and dreary day, constant misbehaviour can turn feelings of amusement into frustration.
Going by the MPs' conduct, one would be forgiven for thinking one had stumbled into a pre-school instead.
Such immature antics not only are a waste of precious time that could be used to discuss important national issues but they also affect the sanctity of the august House.
It's time our elected representatives realised that the art of playing to the gallery is over. The people want a serious working MP, one who has their best interest at heart.
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