It decried the lack of action taken against Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman after he accused DAP women MPs of being indecent and also purportedly used an expletive away from the microphone.
When urged to take action against Tajuddin yesterday, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun said he would discuss the matter with deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon, who oversaw proceedings when the incident occurred.
In a statement, the group questioned why the Umno man was let off with a warning while Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis was given a two-day suspension just for insisting that a debate take place on the Sulu arbitration issue.
It said the disproportionate action against the two MPs showed the deputy speaker’s poor judgment and also that the Standing Orders were ill-equipped to punish MPs who make offensive remarks in the Dewan Rakyat.
The SCPP called for Standing Order 36 to be amended to automatically refer any MP who makes any sexist, racist and offensive remarks to the rights and privileges committee.
It said the Standing Order must also provide for a fine of at least RM500 while the severity of punishments should be higher for repeat offenders, including suspension.
“While sexist, racist, treacherous, subversive and offensive expressions are all ‘out of order’ under Standing Order 36(4) and (10), no penalty is provided. Hence, an offender can get out of trouble by simply withdrawing and apologising.
“To effectively deter vulgarity, the SCPP calls upon the Speaker as the chair of the Standing Order Committee to convene the committee and have the amendment of Standing Order 36 passed before the Parliament meeting ends in August,” it said.
The group added that failing to penalise such actions in the Dewan Rakyat would send the message that such behaviour was tolerated and condoned by the lower house.
The statement was also endorsed by Bersih, Undi18, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Bait Al-Amanah, Engage Network, Wisdom Foundation, and the Institute for Political Reform and Democracy (REFORM).