THE first day of Dewan Rakyat meeting under the new government was no different from the previous ones – lawmakers continued to snipe at each other at the slightest excuse.

The old habit of shouting down MPs making a point, which did not please the other, and the use of unparliamentary language continued, even among the veteran lawmakers who from past experience know they should not use words like “bodoh” (stupid) against their fellow lawmakers.

If the first day is anything to go by, do not expect to see quality debates or cordial exchange of views from members from both sides of the divide.

There were many new faces in the august House following the November 19 general election, but many appeared to be caught up with the atmosphere inside and resorted to shouting during the debate on the motion of confidence in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The day started well when Anwar’s loyalist and former Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul was elected as the new Dewan Rakyat speaker.

He garnered a two-third majority, polling 147 votes, while the opposition’s choice, former home minister Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad picked up 74 votes.

Later, all 222 lawmakers took their oath of office led by Anwar. The ceremony went on till lunch time without a glitch.

After lunch, it looked like a new dawn was emerging in the House when the newly appointed speaker presided over the selection of the deputy speakers, where Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-Barisan Nasional) and Alice Lau (Lanang-Pakatan Harapan) were elected with convincing figures.

The opposition did not raise a heckle with the results and accepted its choice for the post, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, lost owing to the government’s majority.

But when the motion of confidence debate began, all the demons that haunted the old parliament returned – the shouting and the use of unparliamentary language.

A commotion ensued when opposition lawmakers expressed their displeasure at the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s name being used by Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who tabled the motion, to justify the unity government.

A war of words took place between Arau MP Shahidan Kassim (Arau-BN) and greenhorn lawmaker Mohd Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat-PH).

Sany claimed that Anwar had the guts to have a motion of confidence, unlike the country’s eighth prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, who declared an emergency.

The two were at each other, with veteran Shahidan heard uttering the word “bodoh” (stupid), which has been ruled unparliamentary language by previous parliaments and something the veteran should know by now.

Shahidan even poked fun at Sany’s medical condition, who attended the parliament meeting in a wheelchair following an operation, by suggesting that the Hulu Langat MP had gone around the bend and had resorted to shouting as he did not take his medication.

This angered Sany even more, and the shouting match went on for almost 30 minutes before the speaker brought the situation under control.

At the end of the rowdy meeting, Anwar’s legitimacy and his unity government was confirmed via a voice vote, when the ayes outnumbered the nays.

Anwar may have won the day but the quality of debate among lawmakers needs much improvement and something both sides have to work on. – December 20, 2022.