NOT too long ago, the buzzword was “transformation”. I guess the Parliament was excluded. And, “ministers or deputies required to attend Budget 2021 debate”. What’s your reaction?

Aren’t they supposed to be there irrespective? If someone is paid to do a job and will get a pension later, can they skip going to the office when required?

They are the same people; some will wear sarong and spend time with us up to the wee hours during campaigning. Try to make an appointment after they win the election.

In May, the instruction was only members of Parliament or “wakil rakyat” who are free of Covid-19 will attend the one-day sitting and a proposal for use of technology to allow proceedings under social distancing conditions.

Come November, new health protocols limit sittings to three, then four hours per day and a cap of 80 MPs be present at any one time. Reasons given were due to the alarming increase of Covid-19 cases (a staffer was tested positive), advice of the National Security Council and the Health Ministry and consensus among party whips.

But there were also some who did not adhere to SOPs including blatant disregard towards the quarantine period.

True, there is nowhere in Article 96 and 97 of the federal constitution that states that the speaker has to hear all MPs in the Dewan Rakyat sitting at all times. Suddenly, all members were allowed to enter to participate in the tabling of the 2021 budget.

Earlier, the high court refused to give leave for a diligent MP to attend parliament since he is facing seven criminal charges.

Then, an MP disagreed with the speaker’s suggestion for the former to seek the de facto law minister’s approval to table an important issue i.e. vote of no confidence. It seems it is unconstitutional and a serious breach of the autonomy and independence of the Dewan Rakyat from any form of control by the executive.

There were also many instances when proceedings started late due to a lack of quorum when only 26 lawmakers were required.

And the icing on the cake is when lawmakers start collecting statutory declarations to convince the Agong that they have the numbers to become prime minister.

They are not ordinary folks. They are lawmakers in an august house, mind you.

What is needed now is for a relook at all of the above and everything else, to question why it happened and look at ways to improve and truly be an august house.

Why can’t they arrange for virtual conferences when the young people have done it by creating a digital Parliament and have successfully held a conference with representatives in each constituency? Do we need a roll call there?

The way forward is for Parliament and political parties to be mindful of their approach and be professional in their daily dealings.

I have not touched on “political corruption” that will slowly and surely destroy the soul of our beloved country that our forefathers have painfully built.

In a world without meaning, we could no longer create anything of value.

What say you? – December 1, 2020.

* Saleh Mohammed reads The Malaysian Insight.