Speakers Must Act As Wise, Fair Arbiters To Protect Democracy, Says Johari

MELAKA, Dec 20 (Bernama) -- The role of Speakers of state legislative assemblies and Parliament as wise, fair and impartial arbiters must be strengthened to ensure that legislative institutions remain respected and public confidence continues to be upheld.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the House must function as a true ‘house of democracy’, serving as the primary platform for orderly democratic practice while also acting as a training ground for future leaders.

“The legislative institution is crucial as it reflects our position at the centre of the nation’s law-making process. For this reason, the Speaker must be seen as an impartial referee, not aligned to any political party, and must act fairly to ensure decisions made ultimately benefit the people,” he said.

He was speaking at a press conference after attending the Conference of Speakers of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, themed ‘Representatives for the People: A Reflection of Legislative Leadership’ in Banda Hilir here today.

The four-day conference, which began yesterday, was officiated by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh earlier. 

Johari said at a time when public trust in institutions is frequently tested, the Speaker must serve as a bulwark in safeguarding the integrity of the House as a check-and-balance mechanism against the executive.

He said every ruling, reprimand and allocation of speaking time from the Speaker’s Chair contributes to strengthening public confidence in the democratic system.

Johari said the four-day conference also serves as a platform to reshape the mindset of assembly members so they better understand their true role beyond partisan politics.

“Once elected, a member no longer represents a party or personal interests, but the voice of the people they serve. Political contestation should remain outside the House, because inside it, discussions must focus solely on the people, regardless of party background,” he said.

He said another key focus of the conference is to achieve uniformity in understanding and practice among the states, given Malaysia’s diverse demographic landscape.

“We want to ensure a common understanding of the role of the House, whether in Johor, Kelantan, Pahang or any other state, because the democratic principles we uphold must be consistently understood and applied nationwide,” he said.

-- BERNAMA