| Parliament Has Become Central Market - Backbenchers Club Chairman |
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KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- If the first day of Parliament's sitting was described as a boisterous market where only three questions were answered, today it was described by one Member of Parliament as "Central Market" complete with cake, candles and singing. And that despite it being the highest law-making institution in the country.
The attitude of some Members of Parliament in bringing in visitors for certain purposes caused discomfort among other parliamentarians.
About 20 men and women believed to be Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters first held a news conference which turned into a birthday celebration when the parliamentary session took a break at 1pm.
The celebration was for Wvaishnari, the six-year old daughter of Hindraf leader, P. Waythamoorthy, and the group sang "Happy Birthday To You" in the lobby near the MP's rest area. A cake with six candles was placed on a table in the lobby.
The birthday song was sung repeatedly and Member of Parliament, N. Gobalakrishnan, (PKR-Padang Serai) was seen carrying the child to meet fellow MPs.
Some MPs were given red roses but overall the situation was calm with no untoward incident.
Backbenchers Club chairman, Datuk Tiong King Sing, reminded opposition MPs that Parliament was not a place they could do as they pleased and bring in outsiders.
"Before it was a market, now it is Central Market. As the highest institution in the country, you cannot just bring in outsiders as you please. I will raise the matter with the Dewan Rakyat Speaker," Tiong said when met in the lobby.
He called on the opposition MPs not to use the Hindraf issue and children to champion the cause.
The opposition parties are urging the government to release five Hindraf leaders who are under Internal Security Act (ISA) detention.
-- BERNAMA
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