EDITORIAL: Hooligans in the house
(NST) THE loutish behaviour of parliamentarians is nothing new, unfortunately. Much has been highlighted in the past about their misbehaviour in the august house. Even state legislative assemblies are no longer sacrosanct.
Just last month, the political and constitutional impasse in Perak led to shouting, tussling, grabbing and dragging within the state assembly. It appears the protagonists are not satisfied that such misbehaviour should remain within the state assembly. Thus on Monday, they endeavoured to create a similar brouhaha in Parliament.
Led by former Perak menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, several former executive council members in the Perak government raised a ruckus a mere 10 minutes after Nizar was sworn in as the MP for Bukit Gantang.
They were ejected from the House by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, as they should. That the speaker acted firmly and quickly to quell the disturbance is praiseworthy. The troublemakers certainly deserved censure for their unacceptable behaviour. If they had wanted to get their message across, there are other more decorous ways to do so.
Indeed, the sanctity of Parliament has been violated time and again with boorish behaviour, unparliamentary expressions and vulgar words, thrown with abandon across the floor by legislators who cannot keep their tempers and ill manners in check. Many have been suspended as a result but this has not deterred other parliamentarians, and even the same ones, from behaving like tempestuous children. That they are not averse to immature shows of petulance is disheartening. As legislators, it is crucial that they exhibit and maintain high standards of behaviour, and be mindful of their deportment, at all times.
If they are hoping to draw sympathy and attention by acting in such a scurrilous manner, they ought to be reminded that their plans could easily backfire. And in this most recent instance, it most likely will. The people will make up their own minds as to what is or is not parliamentary conduct, and what they saw on Monday certainly does not come within the ambit of that definition. Most will probably be outraged with such a display of belligerence. They did not send representatives to Parliament so that they can make personal political statements and violate the House dress code, of all things.
Instead of embroiling themselves in time-wasting sideshows, they should be engaging in productive debates and healthy discourse. It is imperative that elected representatives give due respect to the dignity of Parliament and not, as the speaker rightly and succinctly pointed out, treat it like a street market.
