PARLIAMENT sittings will not go past midnight to ensure quality debates in the august house, said Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.

Unlike previous sittings where debates can go on until the wee hours of the morning, sessions will now be shortened to ensure the debates remain fruitful.

“We won’t (go past midnight). That is a bit excessive. There will be a reasonable cut-off point, beyond that cut-off point, it becomes inefficient.

“What is the point? Around 9.30pm or push it to 10 something, people can still be alert. Past midnight, I’m not so sure people can be alert,” Ariff told The Malaysian Insight.

The former Court of Appeal judge set the tone of his no-nonsense style in the first week of Parliament when he threw out DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh for refusing to retract a remark describing a group of Umno Youth members as “samseng”.

“I think a speaker has to act impartially. A speaker is the speaker of the entire house, government and the opposition

“I’m not the speaker of the government MPs.”

Ariff said he believes the Dewan Rakyat might sit for a longer period this time to address pressing issues and give bills enough time to be debated.

“Basically, there must be ample time for bills to be read so that informed discussion can take place,” he said.

The following are excerpts from his interview with The Malaysian Insight:

Q: What’s the biggest difference between being a speaker and judge?

A: The atmosphere is different. As a judge, you sit in large chamber but not as large as Parliament (where) you have 222 members. In court, especially in the Court of Appeal, you get a crowd.

The elements of crowd control, engaging with lawyers and maintaining impartiality. Here I’m engaging with YBs (lawmakers). It is a different atmosphere but there are similarities as well as differences.

Q: Is Parliament totally new to you?

A: I have visited Parliament before. I also have watched parliamentary sessions on YouTube. First point of call is the standing order. It’s not something I’ve not read before, even as a lawyer and judge.

I’ve decided a few cases on parliamentary procedure. If you remember, the case concerning Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong MP), his entitlement to privileges while he was suspended.

I delivered a paper last year at Universiti Malaya, public lecture on things essentially involving the representation of private member’s bill. This is not totally new to me.

Q: Why did you quit as Amanah member?

A: I’ve relinquished all party positions. (A) speaker has to be fair. I come from outside, I’m not from a group of MPs.

Q: How comfortable are you working with your deputies (Nga Kor Ming and Rashid Hasnon) as they are MPs?

A: Very good, I enjoy working with them. Without them, I would probably lose 10 pounds! We rotate and work till 10pm. You cannot work alone in this sort of environment. I don’t have full experience, my deputy speakers have been in the house as MPs.

Q: What is the most meaningful thing to you as speaker?

A: One thing I’m excited about really is not just being a speaker. Being here in Parliament at an opportune time, in the development of Malaysian democracy. With the elections, it generated interest in the region.

People are looking at Malaysia as a beacon of hope for democracy. Particularly, in the multiracial set up. We have managed to transit from a period where one party ruled for 60 years peacefully… we have another group that has formed the government.

We have this opportunity to grow from a mature system to a more mature political system. It can be quite challenging for us to be an example for others to emulate. We have to perform. Everyone will have a role to play. – August 1, 2018.