PM Urges Backbenchers To Do 'Something Extraordinary'. How About Attending Parliament And Debating Rationally?

Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has urged Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) members to perform "something extraordinary" to bring back the glory days of parliamentarians in line with the country's 50th anniversary celebrations this year.

BNBBC acting chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar said besides working harder, the Prime Minister wanted elected representatives to engage in better quality debates, championing issues that could enhance the quality of the civil administration.

"He would also like to see us bring up more issues pertaining to the agricultural sector," he told reporters after attending the BNBBC pre-council meeting in conjunction with the opening of the Dewan Rakyat here Monday.

He was commenting on the message conveyed by Abdullah who chaired the hour-long meeting attended by BN elected representatives.

Asked whether the prime minister had explained what he meant by "something extraordinary", Raja Ahmad Zainuddin said it was up to BNBBC members to interpret it. "We are mulling the idea of having a retreat in May to retrace the nation's history but nothing has been decided yet," he said.

He said that the prime minister urged the BN parliamentarians to do their best not only when debating issues in Parliament but also when undertaking their duties as elected representatives. (Bernama)

***** "We are mulling the idea of having a retreat in May to retrace the nation's history." I thought as much. Do something extraordinary says the PM and the reflex move is to splurge money on a retreat. Any guesses how much of a small fortune of our money will be involved to enable our parliamentarians to 'retrace the nation's history'?

In my mind if the current bunch of MPs just attend the parliamentary proceedings regularly and in full as far as is possible, and contribute by rational debate while cutting down on the antics which some of our Yang Berhormat are notorious for, then that in itself will be something extraordinary and the rakyat will be grateful for it. If you were to ask the public now about parliamentary workings these days, most of them will tell you that it is a bloody waste of good money chasing after bad choices.
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