IT will be hardly surprising to read in the newspapers that some politicians have started making their rounds to win support among prospective voters.

Though there are many who really want to serve their constituents and make their community a better place to live in, there are also some who are there for the various perks and benefits that come with being an elected representative.

For those gutsy enough, politics is an easy career choice. It requires no minimum qualifications.

If a person does not have any criminal record or is not declared a bankrupt, then he or she has every right to stand for election and let the people decide on their suitability.

However, once elected, they have an important role to play both in the state assembly and parliament.

If our representatives perform their roles admirably, no one would grudge them drawing a handsome salary together with the perks.

Unfortunately, there are some parliamentarians who seem to waste their time in the house making unwarranted sexist and disparaging remarks against others or abusing their position to interfere in the functions of government departments.

Then there are those whose attendance record in parliament is appalling and yet they continue to receive their salary and enjoy the perks.

These are the ones that we do not wish to see any more in parliament and we hope the prime minister is also aware of who they are, regardless of their standing in the party.

MICHAEL NG, Seremban

Source: NST – December 19, 2007