SAME OLD TUNE: Opposition assemblymen should be constructive in their criticism and bring up 'real' issues
THE idiom "old habits die hard" rings true for the opposition elected representatives in the state.
While it does not describe each and every one of the elected representatives per se, particularly the new ones, some certainly live up to the saying.
The appointment of the Perak state legislative assembly speaker during the first sitting of the new term recently became a bone of contention among Perak Pakatan assemblymen.
Some may ask if there is anything surprising with that? The answer is a big "NO".
In fact, it is highly expected of them to tarnish the sanctity of the august house, something which some of them had been continuously doing, during the previous term's sittings.
As Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir aptly puts it: "I consider the opposition's game as nothing."
For someone who has had to put up with such antics for the past four years, Zambry said it was a normal action by the opposition.
The sitting on that day had got off to a fiery start when opposition assemblymen demanded to know whether Barisan Nasional had submitted the name of a candidate for the speaker's post before the deadline at 5pm on June 21.
They claimed that on that day, the state Pakatan had waited at the State Secretariat building for more than an hour from 10am, but no BN representative was present to submit a name.
A call to the assembly secretary at 4.30pm also confirmed that no names were submitted.
Assembly secretary Rumaizi Baharin explained to the august house that under oath, he was not at liberty to reveal whose names had been submitted.
Dissatisfied with the explanation, the opposition assemblymen then challenged Zambry to prove that BN had indeed submitted a name before the deadline.
"It does not make sense for the government of the day not to appoint a speaker. It also does not make sense for us not to abide by the deadline," Zambry had said.
Ultimately, BN's Datuk S.K. Devamany was voted in as speaker when he polled 31 votes against 28 for Pakatan's V. Sivakumar.
Is the opposition's "game" even necessary in the first place?
Did it allow a speaker from BN when Pakatan helmed the state for 11 months after the 12th General Election?
Come on! It is time to get up and face reality. Don't oppose just for the sake of opposing.
Be a constructive opposition to earn the respect of the over two million Perakians out there.
My dear Yang Berhormats, please be reminded not to use the august house as a platform to showcase your ugly side.
Instead, use it to benefit the very people who had voted you into power. Bring up real and pressing issues facing your people so that solutions can be found.
Devamany will have his hands full when the state legislative assembly sits after the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities.
It also looks like Perakians' wish for a smooth assembly sitting is beyond reach.
A teacher by profession, Devamany has the experience to soothe, pacify and deal with students with all sorts of problems and from all kinds of backgrounds.
For sure, he can use his experience to bring the house in order.
"I will make sure that the sanctity of the august house is not tainted as previously ... let us forget all those episodes, and start a whole new chapter.
"The 14th General Election is still far away ... what is important now is the wellbeing of the people.
"This is the direction I will be taking to ensure the continuous development of the state and the people," Devamany had told reporters after he was sworn in as speaker.
While it is not right to judge others, for some, old habits just never die.
Read more: A 'game' Perak can do without - Columnist - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnist/a-game-perak-can-do-without-1.323948#ixzz2ZsUVVkUc
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