Voters deserve better than no-show MPs

Speaker Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, has recently proposed that the names of Members of Parliament (MPs) who deliberately miss or skip sessions should be publicly displayed.

This move is seen as a positive step that could enlighten voters to evaluate their elected officials more critically, especially when the names are posted on the Dewan Rakyat's website.

Johari says that this proposal is part of a series of enhancements aimed at bolstering MP attendance. MPs, after all, owe their presence and commitment to the constituencies they serve.

He plans to bring this discussion to the Parliamentary committee, which comprises members from both the ruling party and the opposition.

This announcement from Johari has been met with wide approval, especially in light of allegations that some MPs scarcely make an appearance in the Dewan Rakyat.

Intentionally missing sessions without valid reasons is deemed not only irresponsible but also a neglect of parliamentary duties.

Earlier this year, the Malaysian Centre for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (MCCHR), through its MyMP initiative, published a list of five MPs with the most dismal attendance records.

This watchdog group has been diligently tracking attendance through public data from official statements and the Parliament Hansard.

Topping this list for least attendance is Pagoh MP Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, closely followed by Larut MP Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin.

Voters have high expectations of their MPs, hoping to see them actively engaging in parliamentary discussions and seeking solutions to issues.

As representatives of the people, MPs have a fundamental duty to fulfill their roles diligently by consistently attending Dewan Rakyat sessions.