KUALA LUMPUR: Several parliamentary reforms, including heavier punishment on unethical members of parliament, will be implemented to ensure that the law-making institution is respected.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Johari Abdul said to achieve this, he plans to impose tough measures against elected representatives who uttered racist, insulting and gender discriminatory words.
The reforms will also cover proposal that the parliamentary session be adjourned by 8.30pm and not dragged until midnight or early next morning.
Also set to change is the dress code for MPs, who will no longer be required to wear neckties. The option to wear batik every Thursday will be continued.
"I also intend to propose that some important Special Select Parliamentary Committees be upgraded to permanent committees, especially those related to environmental issues and corruption.
"Besides that, the Special Select Parliamentary Committees will also be empowered to help the relevant ministries in making major decisions." he said.
He added that parliamentarian who uttered racist, insulting and gender-discriminatory words in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara sitting will not only face the consequences of being expelled from the assembly, but also slapped with a RM1,000 fine.
Johari said the move was necessary considering some members of parliament continously using vulgar words in the Dewan Rakyat without any sense of guilt or shame, with some of them aimed at the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker or other parliament members.
Johari said the special committee will be formed to monitor the MPs conduct during the sitting.
"I have discussed with the Dewan Negara president, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim regarding the issue. The Special Select Committee has already been set up in many countries.
"This committee will have a guideline that the lawmakers can refer to including statements deemed as racist, insulting and sexist.
"Currently, The Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952 imposed a fine of RM1,000 for such offenses, but it has never applied.
"In fact, we plan to further increase the amount of this fine (with an amendment to the Act).
"Moreover, those involved can be brought before the privileges committee to face the maximum penalty of six months suspension from parliament," said Johari in an exclusive interview with Berita Harian.
Johari said whatever that was mentioned by the MPs in the assembly reflected their image, and even though it does not represent the assembly, it will affect the public perception of the Parliament as the nation's law-making institution.
"Whatever expressed will reflect the character of the person. If the person always talks dirty and use vulgar words, this will clearly show the person's character and mindset.
"I want to reprimand those who behave like this and will not allow this to continue where the time allocated to discuss the nation's development and the people is spent talking about unnecessary things," he said.
Johari also urged the members of the parliament to stop talking about politics and instwad focus on issue that affect the people.
"I hope there will be a quality discussion because they are after all, representatives of the people and not their party.
"If they want to talk about politics, do it outside of the assembly, because their salary and allowances are paid by the people. They need to befair to the people."
On the duration of the assembly, Johari said extending the session until midnight was counterproductive.
"There is no need for the assembly to be dragged so late because if managed well, there is enough time for allocated for debate and other things
"If everyone was given five minutes, then five minutes is the limit." he said.