Q: There are fewer BN members in the Dewan Rakyat than before. Will this affect the effectiveness of the BNBBC ?

A: It will not affect our effectiveness and we will remain focused on our responsibility.

Q: Why do you say that it will not affect your effectiveness?

A: Because I am confident that each and every member of the BNBBC will play his or her role. 

We will look into the needs of the people and what needs to be rectified, what needs to be upgraded and what needs to be developed.

We will put across this message in a united manner.

Q: The BNBBC had acted as an "opposition" within the government bench and questioned the administration on various issues. Will you maintain this position?

A: Definitely, when there is an issue or matter which is a weakness or shortcoming, why not discuss this together and come up with a solution to rectify it.

This is what the people would want.

Q: With more opposition MPs in the Dewan Rakyat than before, does the BNBBC feel threatened? 

A: I believe the others (BN members) are not worried. I think everybody who comes to the Dewan Rakyat is coming to serve the people.

I hope the opposition MPs will change their approach. Do not try to create a story when there is no issue to be harped on. 

Another important aspect is that criticism must be constructive. You should not criticise for the sake of political mileage.

Q: How do you feel being the BN Backbenchers Club chairman?

A: I am still an ordinary member of the house. There is no difference. However, it is a big responsibility. 

Q: Were you surprised that they picked you to head the BNBBC?

A: Yes. I would like to thank my peers for their confidence in me. I urge all my colleagues to work as a team.

Q: Will you be introducing any changes in the way the BNBBC functions?

A: Hopefully we will be calling all BNBBC members next week, and we will be suggesting some changes to the way we discharge our responsibility. 

Q: What are these changes? 

A: At the moment, we have committees looking after and monitoring the work of the different ministries.

We will set up a committee to look at ways to work with the media. 

We are also looking at introducing a committee to monitor the political situation.

Q: You are a full time businessman and also a politician. With this appointment, how will you manage?

A: I let my colleagues and professionals manage my business concerns.

I shall concentrate full time on politics because the people who elected me had placed their hopes on me to resolve their problems. 

Q: With your hands full, do you have any free time at all?

A: The free time now will be less. What little free time I have, I'll spend with the family and on exercise.

Most of the time when I reach home, my children are asleep and then they are off to school in the morning, so there is hardly any time to see them. 

Q: What made you go into politics?

A: I do not know why I entered politics in the first place! I was approached in 1998 to serve the people. 

I did not jump in immediately. I took some time to think it over. However, being a citizen, I felt that I should do something for the country.

Q: Any regrets about entering politics?

A: None. So far so good. Of course there are times when frustration creeps in; when the people want things to be done their way and that whatever they demand must be met. 

So when you can't solve the people's problems, all kind of words, including four-letter words, are hurled at you. Such a situation will naturally make you feel frustrated.

Q: How long more will you be involved in politics?

A: You cannot remain a politician forever. If there is someone who is capable of replacing me, I am prepared give way.

Q: Why do you think your fellow MPs picked you as the deputy chairman. Was it because of the state's overwhelming victory in the elections recently where your appointment was meant to appease the Sabah BN over the lack of posts given to state leaders?

A: I don't think this was meant to appease us at all. My fellow BN and Umno comrades know I am sincere in my struggle for the coalition and for the party. 

I don't think it's because of the election result but instead it is more because of our desire to deliver the people's voice in parliament. 

Both Tiong and I are very vocal in parliament because we are duty bound as MPs to express the needs and grouses of the public.

Q: You are seen as a vocal MP but there have been occasions where you stepped over the line.

A: People can say what they like about me but I am not one who runs away from the fact that when I have wronged, I have to own up to it. 

You are referring to the "masuk-sikit", "bocor" and "f... you" incidents, for which I have apologised openly. I am a human being who was born with my own unique character. All these words were uttered in the heat of things and I find it hard to explain why. 

But one thing is for sure, it was never my intention to say those things. I am definitely not anti-women because without them, we would not be born. 

I have this to say though, I am anti-opposition.

Q: Could your personal background be a factor to the choice of words you used when you are "in the heat of things"?

A: Like I said, I find it hard to explain these outbursts but this much I can say, I was not as privileged when I was young to be sent to school overseas and learn all these "gentlemanly" ways. 

I was born and raised in the kampung in Kinabatangan to a humble family. I finished Form Five and went to work after that but made it good eventually. 

When I had the opportunity, I took the effort to continue my studies until I earned myself a Masters degree.

Q: Earlier you spoke about a challenging term ahead for the BN. How would you describe these challenges?

A: We do not have a two-thirds majority and even within the BN there are calls made for changes.

Rest assured I will do my part to stave off any onslaught from the opposition but more importantly for us is to find the balance within to rebuild ourselves and face the future as a stronger organisation.

The keyword here is to be firm, decisive and fair. We can't be defensive all the time because there are times where we need to strike to win back the confidence of the people. 

Also we need to move away from the "fear factor". Leaders should be respected and not feared. 

If it's any one reason why I was re-elected as the Kinabatangan MP, it has to be the fact that anyone in the constituency can approach me because they do not fear me.

The first Malaysian parliament convened at Federal House in Kuala Lumpur, the original high-rise government building in Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, some 50 metres from Dataran Merdeka. 

Parliament moved to its present premises, Parliament House, in November 1963.

As the ultimate legislative body in Malaysia, it is responsible for passing, amending and repealing acts of law. 

Dewan Negara 

Under the 1957 Constitution, most senators were elected by the state assemblies. Following amendments to the Federal Constitution in 1963, each state is represented by two members with the rest, including members for the federal territories, being appointed by the King on the advice of the Cabinet.

The Dewan Negara has 70 members (senators); 26 are nominated by the 13 state assemblies (two senators per state) and four are appointed by the King to represent the three federal territories (two for Kuala Lumpur, one each for Putrajaya and Labuan). 

The remaining 40 are appointed by the King on the advice of the prime minister. Senators, who must be at least 30 years of age, are appointed to a three-year term for a maximum of two terms.

Dewan Rakyat

The Dewan Rakyat has 222 members of parliament (MPs) elected from single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system. 

Dewan Rakyat Select Committees
 

• Committee of Selection: The Speaker is the chairman of the committee which has members from across the political divide. Its duty is to nominate members for other select committees.
• Standing Orders Committee: Its function is to consider amendments to the Standing Orders and to submit recommendations to the house.
• House Committee: Its function is to consider matters concerning the comfort and convenience of members of the house. 
• Committee of Privileges: The committee meets on matters affecting the powers and privileges of the house and the discipline of members.
• Public Accounts Committee: The committee's function is to ensure the money voted by parliament is spent in accordance with the intentions of parliament. 

Except for the Public Accounts Committee, similar select committees are also established in the Senate.

Parliamentary Order of Business 

Parliament meets Monday to Thursday between 10am and 5.30pm, with a lunch break (1-2pm) when it is in session. 

The business of each sitting day is transacted in the following manner:

1. Formal entry of the Speaker.
2. Prayer (doa). 
3. Announcements by the Speaker.
4. Questions to ministers for oral answers.
5. Presentation of new government bills.
6. Start or continuation of debate on bills, motions or other matters as contained in the day's Order Paper.

Enactment of Law

A proposed act of law begins its life when a particular government minister or ministry prepares a first draft with the assistance of the Attorney-General's Department. The draft, known as a bill, is then discussed and approved by the cabinet. 

When it is submitted to parliament, the bill is distributed to all MPs. It goes through three readings before the Dewan Rakyat. 

The first reading is where the minister or his deputy submits it to parliament. At the second reading, the bill is discussed and debated. 

At the third reading, the minister or his deputy formally submits it to a vote for approval. 

A simple majority is usually required to pass the bill. However, when the amendment involves changes to the Federal Constitution, it will require the approval of two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat.

After the bill is passed, it is sent to the Dewan Negara where three readings are carried out. 

The Dewan Negara may choose not to pass the bill, but this only delays its passage by a month, or in some cases, a year, after which the bill is deemed to have been passed by the house.

The bill is then presented to the King who has 30 days to consider it.

Should he disagree with it, he returns it to parliament with a list of suggested amendments. Parliament must then reconsider the bill and its proposed amendments and return it to the King within 30 days. 

The King then has another 30 days to give the royal assent; otherwise, it passes into law. 

The new law does not take effect until it is published in the government gazette. 

Individual law makers can introduce a Private Member's Bill.

In addition, there are two other types of bills - Private Bill and Hybrid Bill.

A Private Bill affects only a particular person, association or body, whereas the Hybrid Bill is introduced either by the government or a private member and which appears to affect the interests of a certain group or individual, though it is general in application.

Motions

A motion is a proposal put forward by an MP for a decision to be taken by the Dewan Rakyat. If the motion is in the name of a minister, a seven-day notice must be given to the Speaker.

If an MP proposes a motion, a 14-day notice must be given. However, if it's urgent, a one-day notice can be given.

Privileges and Powers of Parliament

Parliament enjoys a number of privileges and to protect and maintain these privileges, it is empowered to investigate and punish members who abuse it. 

The privileges are now embodied in the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Ordinance, 1952.