What can you do when your elected representative misbehaves?

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 13): Complaints on errant party members, assemblymen, members of Parliament or those in leadership positions will be taken action against by the respective parties, and politically-conscious voters should take note of the methods. 

The Malay Mail reports that a recent viral video, where Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Norhizam Hassan Baktee quarreled with villagers over a road closure in Bukit Beruang, Melaka, garnered a contrite response from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government. 

When your elected representative misbehaves, what can you do?

The daily reports that the politicians of PH and the opposition, Barisan Nasional (BN) have stated that there are mechanisms to deal with such individuals, and that there exist channels for voters to register their unhappiness or disagreement.

Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar, speaking to the Malay Mail, said that his party monitors complaints regarding the party members on social media, and through news reports. 

“Members of the public can lodge a complaint at any level: branches, divisions, state or party leaderships. The complaint should be lodged in the state where it happened. We also take note of media reports on our party members.

“And if the public has no idea where or how to do it, they can issue an open statement or an open media statement.

“However, if someone decides to publish an open letter, please print your name and contact details clearly so we can contact you if we need further information or clarification,” the Pokok Sena MP was quoted as saying.

Amanah leadership will typically take onboard the complaint, and advise members to improve their conduct. In cases where more serious repercussions are required, Amanah’s disciplinary committee will step in and mete out appropriate action.

PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said that all public complaints were referred to the disciplinary committee for action, even if the complaints were lodged against to the party's top leadership or political bureau.

“Anyone can come and raise their complaints. We are quite proactive once we received complaints. Then we take action either to get clarifications based on the allegation and investigate.

“If we must, our disciplinary committee will conduct any kind of mitigation or rectification on the matter,” the Lembah Pantai MP was quoted as saying.

DAP lawmaker Zairil Khir Johari described to the daily, a procedure within his party that was similar to PKR’s.

“The public can write to the party leadership or the state leadership. This has been done before when there were members of the public with grouses wrote to our central executive committee.

“The leadership will decide whether there are any basis and do the necessary, including investigating and getting clarification on the matter. If disciplinary actions are required we will refer the case to the disciplinary committee,” the Tanjung Bungah assemblyman said.

As for MCA, their spokesman described swift and serious action taken against those who misbehave.

“We have sacked experienced members and asked a president Dr Chua Soi Lek to resign,” MCA publicity spokesman Datuk Seri Ti Lian Ker was quoted saying, of former president Tan Sri Dr Chua Soi Lek who had been caught in a extramarital affair video scandal.

The presidential council or disciplinary committee of the party would investigate and deliberate on the right action to be taken against its members, as needed.

“The public can file any complaint but we also have our network, we have our grassroot and our party outreach. So any member can lodge a complaint even on behalf of the public,” he said.