Thesun 2008-11-20 Page15 Mps Grapple With Excellence Pt. 2

theSun

15

| THURSDAY NOVEMBER 20 2008

INTERVIEWS VIEWS

So how do we break free of a culture which restricts the MPs so that they are not bound by party line? The opposition always says we are yesmen, (as) we support all bills. In fact, we criticise the government too. At the same time, they (opposition) also follow the party line. For example, when their leader says, let’s walk out, they walk out. So how do we break away from this culture? So that, for example, when the leader says walk out, not all will walk out. And on the part of the government, it should not be necessary to disagree with what the opposition says. Sometimes we do agree with the opposition but there is the question of the whip or party line. Can we change this culture so that we can agree on certain things? But that is an issue of party discipline, not parliament procedures, right? Yes. It is party matter. So, how can we go beyond this party line? Like in 2006, when Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad quit as Backbenchers Club chairman because he had supported an opposition motion but the BN MPs refused to join him? Yes. It was the same when I was in the Dewan Negara. On two occasions, we rejected bills passed by the Dewan Rakyat. Of course, it had an impact or created problems for the bureaucracy as the bills had to be brought back to the cabinet, to the attorney general and again to the Dewan Rakyat – and it took another year. So, back to the issue of culture. The MPs must be judged on whether they are well-prepared, especially when they pose supplementary questions. And it is also a problem when an MP

does not have a reading habit. Not using the resource centre. In the end they will argue using emotions, this also has to be corrected. But the situation now is more lively and there are more interesting things, don’t you think? Or, do you prefer the more serious and orderly kind of sitting? Not necessarily. We need a combination of fiery debates from among the backbenchers and the opposition so that the Parliament becomes more lively. But we cannot go overboard with the terms used. For example, when Padang Serai (MP N. Gobalakrishnan) said “illegal deputy prime minister”. This is unparliamentary. But of course, we need an intense situation so that we are more lively. Although we are tensed inside the Dewan, outside, our relationship is good, we are friendly towards each other. I am confident our Parliament will not become like that of Taiwan – fist-fighting, throwing things etc. This will not happen here, even though we are debating sensitive issues like race or religion. You mean the MPs do not take it personally? True. Although sometimes we may feel a bit hurt, we are mature enough. At one time when the situation got tense, the Speaker called for an adjournment and left the Dewan. But, inside the House, we could still argue in a friendly atmosphere. You always seem to be a punching

bag for the opposition, especially its leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Were you appointed to instigate the opposition? No, no, no. I have to do that because they use double standards. (They were) Talking about cronyism, but at one time they were also doing that. Talking about money politics. For example when their exco members were investigated, they could not

accept it and said they were framed? I had reports made against me by my political foes. I prefer to be investigated. At least I can say the Anti-Corruption Agency has investigated me and cleared me. Otherwise, people will continue talking. If the police want to investigate, I prefer they do it. Otherwise people will continue making up stories and it would be difficult to defend myself. So you don’t mind being condemned or labelled by the opposition? I don’t mind because I know that’s

not my intention. For example, when Anwar said I wanted to become the finance minister. My conscience is clear. That’s not my intention. That’s why people know I always criticised the prime minister when it comes to party matters, for example. I know I won’t be able to secure any posts if I go overboard but that’s not my intention. It’s not in my agenda, so I don’t feel hurt or get offended. Because, I don’t want to be trapped in the old culture of politics. An MP is a politician. But personally, I’m committed to practising conscience politics. That’s my aim. That’s why I don’t feel anything when people provoke me. What do you mean by politics of conscience? It is politik hati nurani. Meaning, not playing politics according to emotions. By politics of conscience, I mean the priority is moral, rejecting money politics, not using slander. I want to break away from the old culture of politics. For example, I stay in the same hotel with Machang (MP Saifuddin Nasution Ismail of PKR) now. Everyday we carpool to and from Parliament. I’m not afraid if people say I have plans to jump ship because my conscience is clear. So, the two of you kamceng? Yes. Perhaps because you were an opposition member before? I was anti-establishment when I was studying in Universiti Malaya (UM). It was common for student leaders to become anti-establishment. That’s why when Anwar held his Raya open house in the Parliament banquet room, he invited all MPs but I was the only backbencher who

came apart from (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Datuk (Seri) Nazri (Aziz) who came in his capacity as a minister. I went without feeling afraid although the press took my pictures. You see, Anwar saw me and asked me to join them. So, Anwar, Kit Siang, (Bagan MP) Lim Guan Eng, (Tumpat MP Datuk) Kamarudin Jaafar, the Speaker, and I were at the main table. My colleagues also could not say anything because that’s my style. When the Opposition organised a Deepavali do, I joined. That’s what I mean by politics of conscience. My intention is clear. I wasn’t being a hypocrite, trying to run away, afraid of what people would say. In the end people know that’s my style. Do you think other BN MPs should also do the same? Yes. The question of me wanting to cross over does not arise. That’s why I said my politics is based on conscience. Because, I am confident of BN’s struggle. So it is not true you were once a PAS member? Yes. I was close to the opposition members. When I was studying in the US, I was active in a student organisation called Malaysian Islamic Study Group (MISG). And most of them who are now in the opposition like (Kuala Selangor MP) Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and (Kuantan MP) Fuziah Salleh were in MISG then. We were once in the same group. And, I was also together with PKR vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye (Gopeng MP) in the UM Student Union. I thought you were once a PAS

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