Speaker bans MPs from livestreaming Dewan Rakyat session

PARLIAMENT | MPs are no longer allowed to livestream their debates using their own electronic devices, announced Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul.

He explained that this was because MPs tended to direct their speeches towards their devices instead of the chair, which contravenes Standing Order 35(1).

“To ensure that the honourable members comply with Standing Order 35(1) I hereby stipulate that MPs are no longer allowed to use their (electronic) devices to livestream in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said this morning.

Speeches made in the Dewan Rakyat can still be accessed through RTM, Youtube and other mass media, the speaker added.

Johari pointed out that when members of the house “speak to their audiences” instead of addressing the chair, their concentration was “no longer in the Dewan”.

Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) requested that Johari reconsider this new rule, due to people preferring to watch videos on their phones instead of reading the newspaper.

Johari responded that any grievances with the new rule can be written in to be discussed by the committee.

MQT changes

The speaker also announced changes to the Minister’s Question Time (MQT) every Tuesday.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will now answer two instead of three queries during the session.

“This is to give more space and opportunity for MPs to raise questions for each MQT question.

“I decided that under Standing Order 24(5A) and 24A(7) to allow the prime minister to answer two MQT questions on Tuesdays with 15 minutes allotted for each question.

“The allocation of time for each question allows more additional questions to be asked to the prime minister for each question. This is effective starting tomorrow Oct 17,” Johari said.

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