KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 – The 89 opposition parliamentarians partaking in the swearing-in as members of the Dewan Rakyat yesterday shows that they recognise the country’s democratic system despite their strident claims of being dissatisfied with the 13th general election results.
Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said with this, the opposition should not in future dispute the country’s general election or democratic system.
“This process (swearing-in) shows that the country’s system of democracy has been in good practice and we (the MPs), including from the opposition, have taken taken our oath to be loyal, to obey the laws and to respect the Constitution,” he said when met after the swearing-in ceremony in Parliament building, here.
Asked on the commotion created by a number of opposition lawmakers this morning in choosing a Speaker for the Dewan Rakyat, Mohd Shafie who is also the Semporna MP, said they were disputing a small matter to purposely make it big.
“As members of parliament, we should be civil and understand the proceedings of the meeting; the dos and don’ts,” he said.
The swearing-in involved 222 parliamentarians led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, followed by the rest including the 89 MPs from the PAS-DAP-PKR opposition pact.
The Dewan Rakyat composition this time is made up of 133 MPs from Barisan Nasional, 38 from DAP, 30 from PKR and 21 from PAS.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who echoed Mohd Shafie’s views, clarified that the procedure of choosing the Speaker and his deputy through balloting was in Standing Order No. 4.
“Balloting means we must sign the ballot paper, to ensure the signature is our signature, otherwise anyone can vote on the ballot paper,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dewan Negara (Senate) President Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang advised all elected representatives to uphold their oath taken his morning as members of the Dewan Rakyat.
“The decision in the general election has been made (by the voters), and it’s time for all elected representatives to meet in the august house and forget about political issues and instead show their commitment and spirit to contribute to the rakyat (people).”
Abu Zahar said the elected representatives, regardless of the political party they belonged to, should use the Dewan Rakyat sitting as a platform to serve the nation.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom hoped that this time, the MPs would debate with more wisdom, in line with the early reminder given by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia. “He has reminded that the Malaysian Parliament should set a good example and the new and veteran parliamentarians be good role models during the debate sessions,” he said.
– BERNAMA
