Conduct in the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) Parliament Malaysia

Asrawati Awalina Aslan

doi:10.54313/journalmp.v2i.56

Authors

Asrawati Awalina Aslan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54313/journalmp.v2i.56

Keywords:

Age Discrimination, Code of Conduct, Dewan Rakyat, Racist Remarks, Sexist Remarks

Abstract

The frequent occurrences of misconduct among Members of Parliament during the Dewan Rakyat sessions highlight the importance of a code of conduct in ensuring the sessions are conducted in a constructive and conducive environment. Sexist, racist and immature remarks uttered during sessions, as well as acts of discrimination against youth and minority groups, indicate the inability of MPs to conduct themselves respectfully and directly influence the levels of diversity and inclusivity in the Malaysian Parliament. This research study was conducted in two phases, with the aim to assess the public’s knowledge, attitude and perception of the behaviour of MPs during the sessions and identify different perspectives through the lens of MPs themselves on these issues. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a total of 1071 respondents aged 18 years and above participating in the online public survey in the first phase. A semi-structured interview with a total of six MPs was done in the second phase of the study using purposive sampling. The results of the online survey confirmed that the public is more aware of the existence of misconduct among MPs and the discrimination faced by MPs who are members of marginalised groups such as women, youth, and minorities. Four themes emerged from the interview with the MPs; parliamentary reforms, discriminatory comments, the role of the speaker and journalism bias. Findings from the current study concluded that although there was a higher awareness rate among the public about the misconduct of MPs, there was contradictory opinion highlighted from the MPs’ perspectives, indicating the need to look at the gap between the public and MPs’ understanding of these issues.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

‘[PRESS RELEASE] - Fracturing Societies And Systems’ Ipsos (29 July 2021) <https://www.ipsos.com/en-my/press-release-fracturing-societies-and-systems> accessed 22 November 2021.

‘Code of Conduct, Behaviour Standards” WIN - Water Integrity Network (12 April 2019) <https://www.waterintegritynetwork.net/2015/12/03/code-of-conduct/> accessed November 10, 2021.

‘Codes of Conduct for Political Parties’ Ace Electoral Knowledge Project <https://aceproject.org/main/english/ei/eif01a1.htm> accessed 12 November 2021.

‘Current Population Estimates, Malaysia 2020’ DOSM (15 July 2020) <https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=155&bul_id=OVByWjg5YkQ3MWFZRTN5bDJiaEVhZz09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZklWdzQ4TlhUUT09> accessed 12 November 2021.

‘Data on Women in National Parliament’ Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform <https://data.ipu.org/node/103/data-on-women?chamber_id=13454> accessed 12 November 2021.

‘Data on Youth in National Parliament’ Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform <https://data.ipu.org/node/103/data-on-youth?chamber_id=13454> accessed 12 November 2021.

‘Education Attainment & Illiteracy’ Institute of Labour Market Information & Analysis (ILMIA) <https://www.ilmia.gov.my/index.php/en/dashboard-datamart/kilm/indicators/item/education-attainment-illiteracy> accessed 22 November 2021.

‘Household Income and Basic Amenities Survey Report 2019’ DOSM (10 July 2020) <https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=120&bul_id=TU00TmRhQ1N5TUxHVWN0T2VjbXJYZz09&menu_id=amVoWU54UTl0a21NWmdhMjFMMWcyZz09> accessed 22 November 2021.

‘Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga Dan Masyarakat – Pencapaian’ KPWKM <https://www.kpwkm.gov.my/kpwkm/index.php?r=portal/about2&articleid=TWNLVFlOU0dxSlZqbjR3cUozWGJKdz09&id=b0J5ZFBERFhsalo2U05TWk1nSzVDQT09> accessed 12 November 2021.

‘Official Portal of The Parliament Malaysia - Privileges for Members of Parliament’ Parliament of Malaysia <https://www.parlimen.gov.my/kemudahan-ahli.html?uweb=dr&> accessed 13 November 2021.

‘Official Portal of The Parliament of Malaysia – Function’ Parliament of Malaysia <https://www.parlimen.gov.my/fungsi.html?uweb=p&lang=en> accessed 13 November 2021.

‘Official Portal of The Parliament of Malaysia – Speaker’ Parliament of Malaysia <https://www.parlimen.gov.my/yang-di-pertua.html?uweb=dr&lang=en> accessed 22 November 2021.

‘Statistics on Women Empowerment In Selected Domains Malaysia, 2020’ DOSM (1 December 2020) <https://www.dosm.gov.my/v1/index.php?r=column/cthemeByCat&cat=444&bul_id=QlliTUxPQnhrR2tVa2kyOFpkWmhaZz09&menu_id=L0pheU43NWJwRWVSZkl WdzQ4TlhUUT0> accessed 12 November 2021.

‘What is a Code Of Conduct & Why is it Important?’ DeltaNet International <https://www.delta-net.com/compliance/code-of-conduct/faqs/why-is-a-code-of-conduct-important> accessed 11 November 2021.

‘Why Have a Code of Conduct - Free Ethics & Compliance Toolkit’ Ethics and Compliance Initiative (25 October 2021) <https://www.ethics.org/resources/free-toolkit/code-of-conduct/> accessed 10 November 2021.

Adams W., ‘Conducting Semi-structured Interviews (2015)’ in Newcomer K.E. and others (eds), Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation (4th edn, Jossey Bass, 2015).

Almalki S., ‘Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Data In Mixed Methods Research—Challenges And Benefits’ (2016) 5(3) Journal of Education and Learning 291-93 <http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jel.v5n3p288>.

Argandoña A. and others, ‘Code of Ethics for Politicians’ (2012) 3 Ramon Llull Journal of Applied Ethics 9.

Braun V. and Clarke V., ‘Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology’ (2006) 3(2) Qualitative Research in Psychology 77 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa>.

Couper M.P. and Miller P.V., ‘Web Survey Methods: Introduction’ (2008) 72(5) Public Opinion Quarterly 831 <https://doi.org/10.1093/poq/nfn066>.

DeJonckheere M. and Vaughn L., ‘Semistructured Interviewing In Primary Care Research: A Balance of Relationship and Rigour’ (2019) 7 Family Medicine and Community Health.

DR Deb 13 July 2020, Bil. 2.

DR Deb 9 May 2007, Bil. 5.

Hassan H., ‘Parliamentary Privilege, Convention, Tradition and Practice’ Malay Mail (1 June 2020) <https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2020/06/01/parliamentary-privilege-convention-tradition-and-practice-hafiz-hassan/1871209> accessed 13 November 2021.

International IDEA, Code Of Conduct for Political Parties Campaigning In Democratic Elections (1st edn, Slovenia, Studio Signum, 1999).

Kamilan I.H. and Saari M., ‘Mekanisme Pengawalan Bahasa Kurang Sopan (Unparliamentary Language) di dalam Dewan Rakyat: Perspektif Perundangan’ (2021) 1 Journal of the Malaysian Parliament 98 <https://journalmp.parlimen.gov.my/jurnal/index.php/jmp/article/view/33/18>.

Lai W.S. and Yussof I., ‘Impact of Higher Education on Income and Economic Growth: A Cross Country Evidence’ (2018) 52(2) Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia 189.

Liu S.J.S., ‘Gender Gaps in Political Participation in Asia’ (2022) 43(2) International Political Science Review 209 <https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0192512120935517>.

Manzor Z., ‘Dewan Rakyat: Ramai Kesal Jadi Tempat Bergaduh’ Kosmo (27 July 2021) <https://www.kosmo.com.my/2021/07/27/dewan-rakyat-ramai-kesal-jadi-tempat-bergaduh/> accessed 22 November 2021.

Masum A., ‘Parliamentary Privilege and Its Practice In Malaysia: An Overview’ (2012) 2 Malayan Law Journal 100.

Mintz S., ‘Using a Code of Conduct to Build Trust In The Workplace’ Workplace Ethics Advice (10 October 2011) <https://www.workplaceethicsadvice.com/2011/10/using-a-code-of-conduct-tobuild-trust-in-the-workplace.html> accessed 12 November 2021.

Nayak M.S.D.P. and Narayan K.A., ‘Strengths and Weaknesses of Online Surveys’ (2019) 24(5) IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 31 <10.9790/0837-2405053138>

Papanis E., Giavrimis P. and Papani E., ‘The Contribution of The Internet Into Learning’ (2010) 2(1) Review of European Studies 54 <http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/res.v2n1p54>.

Sani M.U.M. and Saad S., ‘Pelaksanaan dan Cabaran Penglibatan Belia dalam Parlimen Belia Malaysia’ (2018) 13(1) Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities 1.

Saunders M. and others, Research Methods for Business Students (5th edn, England, Prentice Hall, 2009).

Shih T. and Xitao F., ‘Comparing Response Rates from Web and Mail Surveys: A Meta-Analysis’ (2008) 20(3) Field Methods 249 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1525822X08317085>.

Singh N.K.H., Lai W.S. and Saukani M.N.M., ‘Impact of Education Levels on Economic Growth in Malaysia: A Gender Based Analysis’ (2018) 14(4) Malaysian Journal of Society and Space 13.

Suyi S., ‘LETTER | Put Racists to Shame’ Malaysiakini (16 July 2020) <https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/534720> accessed 22 November 2021.

Tangau W.M., ‘MP SPEAKS | What’s Next For Parliamentary Reforms?’ Malaysiakini (31 August 2021) <https://www.malaysiakini.com/columns/589372> accessed 22 November 2021.

Tarmizi A., ‘YB, Tolonglah Jaga Adab Ketika Berbahas’ Sinar Harian (29 July 2021) <https://www.sinarharian.com.my/article/152535/SUARA-SINAR/Analisis-Sinar/YB-tolonglah-jaga-adab-ketikaberbahas> accessed 22 November 2021.

World Economic Forum, Insight Report: Global Gender Gap Report 2020 (Geneva, World Economic Forum, 2019).

Yeong P.J., ‘How Women Matter: Gender Representation in Malaysia’s 14th General Election’ (2018) 107 The Round Table 771 <https://doi.org/10.1080/00358533.2018.1545943>.

Zaidi F., ‘An Emergence of Youth Participation in Malaysian Politics’ IDEAS (25 August 2021) <https://www.ideas.org.my/an-emergence-of-youth-participation-in-malaysian-politics/> accessed 22 November 2021.