Be on your best behaviour, PM tells Barisan reps - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: Stay clear of racist remarks, don’t be corrupt or arrogant and serve the people well.

These are part of the guidelines outlined by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when he gave Barisan Nasional elected representatives a pep talk yesterday.

He said it was important for Members of Parliament and state assemblymen to understand the rules of debate, adding they should understand government policies in order to be effective during the sessions.

“It is also important that they conduct themselves with decorum to ensure the debates are of substance and quality,” he told reporters after the meeting yesterday.

“I also reminded them that the Sedition Act could be enforced if there are issues which are racially sensitive. They are not free to say whatever they want and which are against the law.”

He said that being in Parliament did not give them immunity to say whatever they liked on race and religion in a way which could create tension and problems among the communities.

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/15/nation/20953283&sec=nation]