THE bad boy of Parliament misbehaves again but the deputy minister of women, family and community development wishes to move on (”Call to drop Tajuddin issue” — NST, Dec 4).

Barisan Nasional’s Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has uttered derogatory comments, been sexist, sworn at MPs and never ceases to be rude. But he gets away with it all the time.

Is this right? Is this the sort of image Parliament wants to portray to the rest of the country? So, we learn that bad behaviour is not punished? That being rude is tolerated?

The thing is, this is not his first offence.

He said he uttered the words in the heat of the moment. His cheap words sound hollow and insincere. Moreover, it shows a lack of control and self-discipline.

Come on, MPs, how many more times has he to pull the wool over your eyes? How many more times will you condone his disgusting behaviour? Why do you allow him to get away with this sort of attitude that is unbecoming for an MP, for an adult and a family man at that?

The other message that we read is that no one is forceful enough to punish him and that Parliament lacks a strong backbone when it comes to instilling a code of ethics and enforcing discipline in its ranks.

MPs who cannot act with decency and continue to misbehave must be dealt with more severely.

If MPs have short memories, let me remind them that early last month the unity, culture, arts and heritage minister announced a code of ethics on courtesy to be extended to parliamentarians, as part of the Courtesy Is Our Culture 2008 campaign.

Apparently, some feel that this code of conduct does not apply to them. This is arrogance.

A continuation of this immature behaviour, with a tendency to “shoot first, think later” should result in a ban from Parliament.

MARIAM MOKHTAR, Ipoh

Source: NST – December 4, 2008