Train Mps To Curb Religious Racially Charged Debates Says Expert

---

 
Shad Saleem Faruqi says MPs must be trained so that they have a better appreciation of the rights and liberties protected by the Federal Constitution.
KUALA LUMPUR: MPs must undergo structured training to improve their understanding of constitutional law, budget analysis and legislative drafting, says constitutional expert Shad Saleem Faruqi.
He said without proper training, they risk making poor decisions on critical policies that may affect the nation’s future.
“For civil servants, we have the National Institute of Public Administration (Intan). For judges, we have the Judiciary and Legislation Training Institute (Ilkap).
“But what do we have for MPs?” he said.

“There should be an institute of parliamentary affairs to train MPs in lawmaking, budget interpretation and economic matters,” he told FMT.
He said the lack of knowledge among MPs has resulted in a failure to appreciate the rights and liberties protected by the Federal Constitution, resulting in racially and religiously charged debates, legally questionable statements, and gender-biased positions on issues.
However, despite parliamentary immunity, MPs are still subject to laws such as the Sedition Act, making legal literacy essential, he said.
Shad Saleem said training would also help MPs draft better laws.
“They should have short courses (to enable them) to interpret laws and take part in the drafting of laws to be presented to Parliament as a private member’s bill,” he said.
He also called for the establishment of a parliamentary budget office — similar to models in Australia and various other Commonwealth nations — where independent experts provide free, non-partisan analysis on the short- and long-term impacts of budgetary decisions.
“MPs must be made aware of the long term implications of environmental issues, taxation policies and economic sustainability.
“I am troubled by it every day. I order food that comes (packed) in plastic every day. I tell myself our oceans will be full of plastic. There are environmental issues like rivers turning into drains, these are long term policies,” Shad Saleem said.
He said a well-trained MP would be an asset to the nation, strengthening our democracy and improving governance. - FMT

---