What’s the role of an MP?

By Rashvinjeet S.Bedi
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/23/focus/20700970&

Among the hot topics during campaigning in the last general election was the role of our elected representatives. Are they supposed to look into micro issues like street lighting and clogged drains?

THE American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy defines parliament as an assembly of representatives, usually of an entire nation, that makes laws. In Malaysia, this definition might not hold water, as some members of parliament (MP) are so involved in their constituency that they are attending to micro issues such as fixing of potholes and damaged lighting.

One Barisan Nasional MP was even labelled the “longkang (drain) MP” by her Opposition rivals during the ferocious campaigning before the recently concluded general election.

So what are the roles of elected representatives, whether they are state assemblymen or parliamentarians?

Job of the councils: Issues such as street lighting, land development, road condition and drainage should rightfully be the responsibility of the local authority.

“Not looking at drains and potholes,” is newly-elected Bukit Gasing assemblyman Edward Lee’s immediate response.

“But we will oblige residents if they come to us for help,” adds Edward.

Writing in getanmp.blogspot. com, law lecturer Azmi Sharom says that the role of MPs and state assemblymen are similar in the fact that they are the lawmakers.

“In order to fulfil this role, their primary duty therefore is to debate and vote on the proposed laws (known as Bills) that are put to them. The debating of Bills is an essential one because only through intelligent discussions are the best possible laws made,” writes Azmi.

There are 222 parliamentarians and 576 state assemblymen in Malaysia.

Azmi: ‘The primary duty of parliamentarians is to debate and vote on the proposed laws’.

Azmi adds that Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies play a role of check and balance to the powers of the Cabinet, which is the Executive wing of government.

“They do this by questioning the Ministers about their activities during question time. In this way Ministers are under constant public scrutiny,” writes Azmi.

S.K. Devamany, who was elected to parliament for a second term as Cameron Highlands MP, agrees with Azmi.

“We should be a pressure group to enhance the delivery system and to ensure there is no abuse of power for the well-being of the rakyat (people),” he says.

In his first term as MP, Devamany was involved in the Select Committee of the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. As a member of the committee, he went around the country getting feedback on subjects pertaining to snatch theft, terrorism, rape and arrest. He also went to Australia and New Zealand to get input on the relevant laws in those countries.

The Penal Code went through some amendments after getting the approval of Parliament in September 2007. Several new laws on offences relating to terrorism were also passed.

Azmi is adamant that local authorities have to take care of local environmental matters, licensing of activities, public health, the cleanliness of public areas, public amenities, social services and land use planning.

“Issues such as street lighting, land development, road condition, drainage, etc are the responsibility of the Local Authority. They are not the responsibility of Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen,” stresses Azmi.

Devamany: ‘Roles of MPs are what they are because of the ineffectiveness of the delivery system’.

The getanmp blog moderator, Ambrose Poh, 44, echoes Azmi’s sentiments and expects Parliamentarians to serve the people in upholding the constitution.

“Your MP has a national-level role to play. He/she makes sure your values are represented in the highest law-making office in the land. He/she is expected to debate, to fight for your cause,” writes Ambrose.

However, the elected representatives in Malaysia seem to be bogged down by minor issues.

“Unfortunately, most people think this is the primary function of the elected. Why this happens, I think it’s because of frustrations of not being attended to by local government officials,” says Lee, adding that the assemblymen should empower constituents by giving them phone numbers and contact details of authorities to call when they face such problems.

“Only after they have tried (calling the local authorities) but there are no results, should they let us know,” adds Lee.

Devamany admits that almost 70% of the constituents come to see him for issues ranging from securing scholarships to helping them with their welfare.

“We can’t run away from these issues because people’s expectations are there,” he says.

Lee has been involved in issues of civil society since 1995 and worked on, among others, the re-gazetting of Bukit Gasing and the relocation of the Puchong incinerator. He describes what he is doing now as an extension to his duties before.

Edward Lee: Hopes to promote a new culture of responsibility.

“One of my primary goals is to actively promote a new culture of responsibility, respect for good and high performance by local government,” says Lee, a reluctant politician who only entered politics because he thought the country needed change.

He says issues that affect the larger community, such as safety, security, the well-being of citizens and rights (human and legal) should be given paramount importance. And being an assemblyman, he believes that he is able to contribute to forging these changes.

“I can present my views and opinions across on an equal footing to the appropriate parties and authorities. Hopefully I can get my message across effectively to them,” says Lee who admits he has an uphill task.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw, the Kepong MP, says the parliament is a scrutiny of the public services, which spends public funds of up to RM100bil per year.

“For instance, we keep an eye on the 1.2million civil servants who are paid tens of billion (RM) per year,” says Tan.

According to Tan, parliamentarians also articulate the implications and consequences of issues ranging from the economic downturn in America, immigration or the use of Information Technology.

Tan believes that MPs should play their part in imparting education to the people.

“They can give talks based on facts, figures and the truth at public gatherings, for instance,” he says.

However, just like the other MPs, he estimates that almost 80% to 90% of the problems that come to him are not within his purview, although he tries his best to deal with them.

“Politics means people or the management of man,” explains Tan who has been a Member of Parliament since 1976.

Among the problems people come to see him for are regarding citizenship and poor treatment at government offices.

But dealing with these problems also gives him a chance to meet his constituents, he says.

Devamany, however, reckons that it will not be easy to undo a system that has deep roots in place.

“When we talk about the Western model of an MP, it is a little different. Here, the roles of MPs are what they are because of the ineffectiveness of the delivery system. It will take time (to reach that Western stage). Developing nations will go through this process,” he says.

At the end of the day, the general public should also be more empowered.

“People should empower themselves with knowledge of law and be proactive as they can, within their means. This would allow elected representatives to concentrate on what they are supposed to do,” opines Edward.

Starting tomorrow, ‘The Star’ will feature snapshots of MPs and ADUNs elected in the 12th general election. Readers will get insights into broad areas like their education, family and philosophy and also personal issues like their favourite movies, songs and IT gadgets. MPs will be featured in Star 2 and ADUNs in our respective Metro sections.