Editorial
Speaker's caution against scurrilous remarks
All-out efforts should be made to change the culture of vitriol
We thank Speaker Abdul Hamid for his cautionary words against exchange of vituperative remarks beyond all norms of decency in parliament. In a book launching programme at the parliament's media centre on Sunday, he strongly opposed the trend of exchanging expletives. Referring to an AL lawmaker's personal attack on the opposition leader and her sons, he cautioned that a culture of vitriol can only diminish the sanctity of the parliament. He also called upon all members to scrupulously abide by the rules of procedures while conducting themselves in parliament.
We wholeheartedly endorse the speaker's stance on the matter in the belief that parliament is the house of people and it is their sacred trust placed in the hands of the parliament members who must prove equal to the dignity and prestige that the parliament embodies. Elected representatives are expected to represent their constituencies and engage in critical discussions on policymaking, governance and accelerating the process of national development. Regrettably, our lawmakers instead are often embroiled in unleashing diatribes against each other that tend to violate the propriety and standard norms of parliamentary practices. If MPs and ministers talk abusively at each other, it not only denigrates the individuals uttering those words but also amounts to demeaning the parliament as an institution.
What is more worrying is the fact that even after vilifying someone from the opposition and vice versa, a lawmaker earns thumping applause from his/her own party men. Speaker Hamid has rightly noted, "Hurling abusive words towards others may at times be lauded by the party members but it is not generally accepted by the people."
If lawmakers are to deliver their promises made prior to the election, they will have to shun the vitriolic culture and turn the parliament into a centre of decent and enlightening debates on national issues. They should never forget that the huge expenditure needed to keep the parliamentary sessions going is provided by the taxpayers' money.
The speaker has made his point. But mere exhortation, however forceful, would not by itself bring about a change unless it is enforced in the parliament by the speaker by strict adherence to the rules of procedure. Leaders of respective parliamentary parties need to cooperate with the speaker in bringing about the desired change.
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