Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul says MPs can use all facilities, but applications must prevent misuse by outsiders and partisan activities.
KUALA LUMPUR: The use of Parliament facilities, including the media centre, must comply with established application procedures to prevent misuse.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said this is crucial to stop abuse involving outsiders and partisan political activities.
He said Parliament belongs to all Members of Parliament and they are entitled to use the provided facilities.
“I am entrusted to coordinate and lead as stipulated in the Constitution,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat.
“The application procedures set for rooms or the media centre are meant to ensure there is no misuse.”
Johari said MPs can use all facilities, but use by those who are not MPs is not allowed.
The requirement to state the purpose of using the facilities ensures they are used for public and government affairs.
It also helps prevent tensions among stakeholders in Parliament.
“That is why we impose the condition of providing information to us,” he explained.
“What is it to be used for? If it is to express agreement or disagreement with the government, that is each person’s right.”
He added that he has no power to prevent such expressions.
However, he said announcements or political activities may be carried out outside the media centre or in other suitable areas, including MPs’ own rooms.
Meanwhile, Datuk Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan sought clarification on media centre guidelines.
He asked about rules on doorstep interviews and whether they apply outside the centre, including in MPs’ blocks.
Johari explained that the ruling is focused specifically on the use of the media centre.
Interviews conducted outside the media centre are not an issue.
Updated guidelines issued on Jan 21 state the media centre is reserved exclusively for MPs.
Use by outsiders is not permitted.
