Opinion: Expect your Barisan MPs to be vocal
CHOW KUM HOR
New Straits Times

March 5: IN between monitoring the H5N1 outbreak in his constituency, Gombak Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Raman Ismail has to juggle another matter which he feels is just as pressing.

He has been preoccupied with preparations for the next Dewan Rakyat meeting, beginning March 13. It will be one of the most important parliamentary meetings the first-term wakil rakyat will ever attend.

Although his constituency is the first avian flu hotspot in the country following the recent global outbreak, the medical doctor is busy mining feedback, as well as poring over and researching Bills as he prepares for the next legislative meeting.

Besides the customary Royal Address and the subsequent debate that accompanies the opening of each year’s session, two other items are expected to dominate the next meeting: The tabling of the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) and Bills related to water resource supply and management.

"The 9MP is a blueprint for the country’s economic development for the next five years, while the two water Bills relate to a resource that is crucial to the people and Malaysia’s economic well-being," says Dr Raman.

"There are so many issues my constituents want me to bring up. It is my responsibility to ensure that their views resonate in the august house."

Gombak residents have complained to him about the delivery system in government departments such as the Land Office, drug-related problems in the constituency and high assessment rates.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to table the 9MP on March 31, his maiden five-year plan since taking over the premiership and Finance Ministry in 2003.

It is no secret that the 9MP has been high on Abdullah’s priority list over the past few months. It is the blueprint the Prime Minister hopes will be the impetus for economic growth.

Ayer Hitam MP Wee Ka Siong, who will witness the tabling of the five-year plan for the first time as a parliamentarian, is understandably excited.

The MCA Youth secretary-general has put together a team comprising economists, engineers, lawyers and academicians to help him examine Abdullah’s speech over the weekend, after the 9MP is tabled. He wants to be ready when he takes to the rostrum.

"This is a once-in-every-five-year chance for MPs to present their views. Personally, I hope the 9MP will be a pragmatic and balanced one," says Wee, one of the more articulate members of the Lower House.

"I also hope the Government will give priority to the urban poor as well as step up efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty."

Besides the 9MP, the Water Services Industry and National Water Services Commission (SPAN) Bills will be tabled after several postponements.

The two controversial Bills were to have been tabled last year, but failed to see the light of day after protests from backbenchers, including calls to set up a parliamentary select committee.

The lawmakers were concerned about how well water would be managed under centralised planning, as opposed to each State administering its own resources.

As a compromise, the Government declassified the Bills to allow the public and interest groups to respond.

The ministry concerned is looking into the feedback on how best to represent consumer interests in SPAN, as well as who will head the commission.

In fact, Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik held a briefing for MPs last Thursday on the two Bills.

But don’t expect the proposed laws to sail through when Dr Lim presents them in the legislature.

Despite sitting through the three-hour briefing, Dr Raman is not completely satisfied that the Bills are the solution to the country’s water woes.

"For example, I find that the minister will have too much power as, under the Bill, SPAN members will all be appointed by him. I will suggest that the Cabinet appoints SPAN members instead," he says.

"Strangely, SPAN also does not have the final say. The minister can still veto any recommendations made by the commission."

SPAN is the proposed watchdog for the water services industry under the Bills. MPs are expected to raise issues such as tariffs, quality of service, SPAN’s functions and membership during the debates.

Besides the 9MP and the two water Bills, many MPs also look forward to the motion of thanks to the Royal Address.

It is one of those rare opportunities where MPs get to speak on just about anything, without being reminded by the Speaker not to stray from the topic.

Last year, one MP used the opportunity to criticise a television commercial on public courtesy, for purportedly portraying Malays as rude.

Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, says she plans to bring up issues such as the University and University Colleges Act 1975 and the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territory) Amendments Bill.

On the latter, the International Islamic University graduate plans to raise issues like why the Government was adamant in wanting the Bill to be passed despite opposition from BN MPs.

Based on previous sessions, Opposition MPs such as DAP’s Fong will not be the only ones who are going to give members of the executive a hard time.

Departing from past practice, BN MPs have been equally vocal, often asking probing questions and demanding well-prepared answers.

The backbenchers have an ally in Abdullah. During a recent BN Backbenchers Club (BBC) retreat in Santubong (Sarawak) Abdullah said: "I have informed all the MPs that I want their honest opinion on

policies and mechanisms." He also denied that giving MPs more leeway in bringing up issues showed he was losing control over the legislature.

BBC chairman Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad says if they do their homework, there is nothing to worry about. "It is a growing trend (to be vocal). Ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries should not see MPs as a threat."

Besides the "excitement" related to the agenda in Parliament, MPs will also keep a close watch on how the new Cabinet line-up performs. In the recent reshuffle, eight ministries got new heads, two ex-ministers rejoined the Cabinet while a few portfolio changes and promotions took place.

Newly-appointed Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Datuk Dr S. Vijayaratnam says he is excited about returning to Parliament in a different capacity.

The Gerakan vice-president, who is also a former senator, says he hopes to learn as much as possible about the ministry before the next Parliament session.

"Parliamentary secretaries, after all, are expected to answer questions in Parliament. Besides my minister, deputy minister and officials, I also hope to learn the ropes from my president, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik, who was a long-time Primary Industries Minister."

All in all, the coming parliamentary meeting promises to be an important one. As Shahrir says: "This is one meeting to watch out for."

Source: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Sunday/Columns/20060305072823/Article/index_html