COMMENT De facto Law Minister Nazri Aziz should step down as minister in the Prime Minister's Department.

Nazri's handling of the latest (PKR strategy director) Rafizi Ramli expose over his alleged links to timber tycoon Micheal Chia is disgraceful to say the least.

He has brought Parliament into disrepute. His remarks that "he doesn't screw his son" among other comments made, is not only unparliamentary, it is wholly unbecoming of a minister who is also responsible for parliamentary affairs.

NONE Further and in addition to that, Nazri  ( right )has no right to contend that his relationship with Chia would not impact and conflict with his responses in Parliament over the RM40 million fiasco as de facto law minister.

He shouldn't take us for a ride thinking he can do whatever he wants. This is the problem with politicians who think they are above everyone else.

The de facto law minister portfolio held by Nazri is one of great importance, which requires independence.

  MPs' duty in parliament

Members of Parliament usually press for responses in respect of decisions taken by the AG's Chambers or the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

We are not there to listen to him merely read out responses from these departments.

We are there to debate, to convince the minister, in most cases, that these decisions are wrong and need to be reversed.

If he is not going to engage his mind to the facts of the case, and (instead) acts as a mere conduit, then his role becomes redundant. What then is the use of having a debate if you are impotent as a minister?

NONE Nazri's conduct in further criticising members of the public who question him puts Prime Minister Najib Razak's ( right ) reformist 'people first, performance now' call on a back foot as quite obviously such is not the case here.

If the prime minister is serious about reform, then he should remove Nazri from the de facto law minister law portfolio.

This will boost public confidence that Parliament is effective and mnisters who the rakyat look up to for answers in Parliament are reliable and do not operate without fear or favour.

GOBIND SINGH DEO is Puchong MP.