Parliamentary disciplinary body too lenient on abusive lawmakers, says Kasthuri

Kasthuri Patto, the former member of parliament for Batu Kawan, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the Dewan Rakyat's Rights and Privileges Committee in holding abusive lawmakers to account. Speaking on the issue, Kasthuri contended that parliamentary disciplinary bodies often fall short in ensuring that offending members face meaningful consequences for their actions.

The former MP's comments highlight persistent questions about the adequacy of existing mechanisms to address misconduct within parliament. Kasthuri's remarks suggest that the current approach adopted by the Rights and Privileges Committee may be insufficient to deter inappropriate behaviour among parliamentarians or to maintain public confidence in the integrity of the legislative body.

Her criticism adds to broader discussions about parliamentary governance and the need for robust accountability frameworks. The comments underscore the importance of having disciplinary processes that are perceived as fair yet sufficiently stringent to protect parliamentary standards and the dignity of the institution.

The Rights and Privileges Committee is tasked with investigating breaches of parliamentary conduct and recommending appropriate measures. Kasthuri's assertion that the committee is too lenient suggests there may be a gap between the severity of misconduct and the penalties imposed, potentially allowing problematic behaviour to persist among lawmakers.