LIKE all Malaysians, I had expected our recently elected parliamentary representatives, comprising the learned, professionals and corporate leaders, would lead our country towards much awaited changes for greater unity, fairness and equality.

What is happening in Parliament is something else. Our honourable representatives have forsaken the interests of the people in favour of personal showmanship. Parliament has lost its dignity.

The proceedings have become a ceaseless circus of bickering, abusive and unparliamentary language, name-calling, racial slurs, misrepresentation and disrespect for the chair.

Our Yang Berhormat never fail to dramatise their rowdyism before dignitaries and students attending the proceedings and for viewers of the live telecast.

What disturbed me was the innocent use of a Tamil word by Datuk Idris Haron. I clearly heard him say the word on TV and it held no trace of vulgarity. He pronounced the word quite correctly.

The word is intended to invite someone to take a seat in a polite manner. There was no reason for anyone to misinterpret the meaning of the word.

Please stop these theatrics and start doing what is important for the people. MPs cannot go on like this until the next election.

Educating the people with corrupted teachings and attitudes should never be allowed to become a part of Malaysian culture.

Source: NST – May 30, 2008