S Pathmawathy | May 24, 08 3:54pm
Disability activist Anthony Thanasayan has expressed shock and disappointment on comments made by Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia on rights’ group actions using the parliament lobby to garner support.“I’m sad and I can’t believe he has the audacity to make such remarks,” said Anthony, coordinator of Malaysians Against Discrimination of the Disabled (Madd).
On Thursday, the House speaker said the lobby is a place for parliamentarians to work and not for groups to voice their political agendas.
He also noted that all political matters should to be dealt outside the Parliament.
One event that came under fire from the speaker was the birthday celebration of Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) chairperson P Waythamoorthy's daughter W Vwaishhnnavi, 6, on May 21.
The speaker also raised concerns over the presence of Madd representatives on May 8 demanding an apology from Pasir Mas MP Ibrahim Ali for comments targeted at wheelchair bound Karpal Singh, DAP chairperson and Bukit Gelugor MP.
Highlighting the lax security in Parliament, the speaker said he would be writing to all political party leaders to make sure certain such events are not repeated.
Responding to this, Anthony opined: “It’s despicable to say children and handicapped people are a security threat.
“What's more patronizing is to say we were used by the opposition for their own cause. If you are a decent human being, you would never resort to use other people’s weaknesses,” he said emphasising the opposition did not influence Madd’s appearance in Parliament.
“Does he think we have no brains? He should know we have more brains than him. We will not allow others to use us for their political mileage.
“They (Pakatan Rakyat) were the only ones to approach us and converse with us. Not the Barisan representatives. Parliament should give voiceless masses a chance to voice out, not reprimand us,” he added.
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1 comment:
Dear Fellow Malaysians,
Raykat Malaysia expressed with great concerned and disappointment on the blunt comments made by Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Pandikar Amin Mulia("Pandikar") on rights’ group actions from disability communities using the parliament lobby to garner support. We, Malaysians think Pandikar is very unwise person and not fit to become a Dewan Rakyat speaker. Pandikar has failed to carry out his duties competently and biased towards the Malaysians and MPs from Pakatan Rakyat including the disability communities.
We, Malaysians tell Pandikar to understand that the entire rakyat Malaysia irrespective of races, religions and disabilities are entitled to enter the Parliament "Without Fear or Favor" to uphold democracy of Malaysia. The Parliament lobby is not solely to cater the politicians, government servants, VVIPs and certain people only.
We, Malaysians demand an apology from Pandikar for OKU and MADD communities and request him to "tarik balik" his unparliamentarian comment.
We, Malaysians deserved a better qualified and noble Dewan Speaker to replace Pandikar soonest possible. We, Malaysians will inform all MPs to raise a vote of non confidence towards Pandikar on his unparliamentarian comments condemning the disability communities in Malaysia.
OKU and MADD fight for their legal rights to present or visit in the Parliament house if necessary to voice out their needs to their MPs since the Parliament house belongs to all Rakyat Malaysia.
Suara Bersatu from,
Rakyat Bangsa Malaysia and
Malaysia OKU & MADD Communities.
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