MPs are lawmakers, we elect them to make good laws and repeal and amend bad ones. That’s primary function; asking questions is secondary compared to the first. This is basically a numbers game, so I don’t se why not. A private member bill if approved by a majority in both houses will become an Act of Parliament and law of the land. [The problem is see is likely in Dewan Negara]. Before 8th March private members’ bills were introduced by Opposition or backbench MPs normally to raise awareness of a particular issue – they didn’t stand a chance of becoming law because no majority vote in support. Situation is different after March 8th: Opposition parties now have already almost equal numbers at least in the Dewan Rakyat – the majority if you believe in DSAI. All we need is either abstinence or some support from BN MPs. Why that is not impossible is because BN is presently torn in factionalism : in cases of introducing Freedom of Information Act or Malaysia Press Council Bill, there may be some support from BN’s side. We also have no knowledge how many from BN’s side are contemplating realigning with and secretly sympathetic with Pakatan Rakyat’s side negotiating with DSAI behind the scenes to cross over and participate the next new government to be formed soon by the Opposition when a more comfortable majority are sealed by DSAI. They would follow the perceived winning side, ie where the direction in which strong winds of change blow! They don’t want to be irrelevant and keen to ally with the right side of the near future getting power. I believe DSAI is negotiating hard, that’s why he is low profile, not making statements. Cleverly he does not ask any of his proxies at this moment to give up any state seat held by PKR for to do so means (1) his own people lose one seat (2) in ensuing by election BN will use all fire power and all financial resources available to finish him at the seat he contests and (3) as defacto leader he commands moral authority to negotiate and having no official position enjoys flexibility in this task of negotiating with BN people (As I said before, without major defection from BN, Pakatan cannot form stable govt). DSAI has to make the move soon because time operates against Pakatan at least from two angles. First if and when the reactionary faction is able to remove the Pak Lah faction, they may be able to unite and think ways of how to emasculate Opposition including repression ie arrest Opposition leaders for minor infractions of police permits etc and secondly, they may try use Federal powers over funding to stave opposition controlled State governments so that they may be seen as not performing in rakyat’s eyes. Against such a backdrop and political milieu after 8th March where some from BN side are negotiating crossing over and others may want to be seen “reinventing and reforming”, some sections of support from BN for an Opposition’s private member bill cannot be written off as “mission impossible”….

“….to starve…”

ADAM YONG IBNI ABDULLAH ,

I am sure if you ask around, you will get from those you ask, names, surely not hard out of 13,000 presently around. It is yourself making right choice.

Since you asked, I’d give some pointers. It is just a personal view: It works for me when I hire lawyers.

Now you can’t go wrong if you remember not to believe in just claims and boast of lawyers themselves. They sure claim they are good for ‘cari makan’ reasons. Self-serving statement (one praises his own self is no use). Rely on references from those in market who have used them before. Good lawyer is not just technical competence, and ability to analyse and solve problems creatively. That is only expected of all persons holding themselves out as professionals. Much depends on his years of experience and area of specialty. This can be objectively verified. What needs to be subjectively assessed and verified is his temper of mind and basic character. You just have to ask yourself after meeting him:-

· Is he an honest and down to earth chap; does he tell you honestly what he knows and could do and what he does not know and cannot do; is he on the level, does he tell you the unvarnished facts of your case – win or lose – without misrepresenting and creating fall hopes to make you happy to part with your money?

· Does he put pride in his work for you more important than money factor?

· If he takes your money as fee, will he put your interest as client first above all else and give you his best?

If the answers to these question “YES” then you have found him/her. It can be a lawyer or anybody else, personal architect, dentist, accountant etc – same criteria….

Sorry to rest for topic digression.

His fees may me very affordable now. :) What is m.o.b.???

Some of criticisms are disproportionate, forgetting the ask questions within time frame for first time parliamentarians is no big sin or offence. What for ask question for the sake of asking or asking unimportant question wasting parliamentary time on trivial issues? Or ask questions that the opposite side can answer with full justification to look good reflecting on the stupidity or ignorance of the questioner??? What we need are fearless Opposition MPs who dare express the rakyat’s hopes, fears and concerns and engage fully in parliamentary debates against the BN’s side. Supposing as a DAP MP I don’t ask any question, others ask the questions, BN relies, debate begins, I am able to debate (against BN’s MPs) with the strongest force of logic and eloquence in line with the highest tradition of parliamentary debates of standards as high if not higher than that which exists in other Commonwealth Parliament including Westminister – am I that useless a DAP MP, deserving of all criticisms for not submitting questions in time for first session?

Those unfamiliar with parliamentary procedures of filing questions have not yet had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with parliamentary rules and procedures because they basically did not have anything important to question (at this moment) the BN – so give them some time. Why would we want MPs, who got no important question to ask, make it a point to immediately show or pretend to us that they know alot of parliamentary rules and file in the questions just for the sake of giving us a good impression that they have interest in their job? Why do we want “pura pura” MPs???
Let them learn on the job – procedures, I mean. If they have had any important questions at this moment they would have make it a point to find out procedudures and file them within time. If they don’t have, let it be, there are many other ways to perform duties as effective Opposition MP (eg engage sensibly in active debate give input on bills proposed, supporting other Opposition MP’s point of contention than just asking question of BN for the sake of asking….There is really no reason to make a big issue out of the initial infraction of not knowing the rule on filing questions in time. It does not by itself reflect on an MP’s capabilities, that will be shown only over time.