Members must adapt to the new situation in the House

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw hopes that all concerned will adapt to the new atmosphere in Parliament, so that big issues will be debated.

On 30.4.2008, Dr Tan was in the House during the question time when the proceeding was telecast directly for half an hour for the first time in the history of Parliament. What happened was arguments between a few members and the Speaker mostly over the Standing Order (S.O.)


The Member for Bukit Gelugor began with S.O.,saying that on 28.4.2008, some members swore in without holding up their right hand rendering it invalid. The Speaker rejected it, saying that he had made a decision that the swearing-in of all 222 members were valid.


After the Prime Minister answered the first question about enhancing the quality of life for the people, such as setting up a Cabinet Committee on Inflation and elevating the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) into a Commission, the Speaker would not allow supplementary questions. This caused an uproar. The Member for Ipoh Timur protested. The Question Time must have supplementary questions. The PM said that the Speaker must allow one or two supplementary questions for each question. Order returned.


Some members picked at one another. The Member for Pasir Mas remarked that the Member for Bukit Gelugor should stand when he spoke (he was in a wheelchair as he was weak in his legs). This type of remark should be avoided.


In about one and a half hours of Question Time only three questions were answered. Then the debate on the King's Speech , that was presented on 29.4.2008, began.


The Speaker must be fair and just. Members must follow the S.O. All concerned must adapt to the new situation in the House.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw