Friday, May 18, 2012
Law Academy spoof
PUTRAJAYA, May 18—The government will set up a second Parliament to help safeguard the interests of opposition lawmakers, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said today.

The de facto law minister said Cabinet decided to form the alternate legislative body after extensive consultation with the Attorney-General.

"The Parliament is for all who were chosen as representatives in the last election but for many, their votes are moot as BN usually uses its majority to force laws through.

"This 'Parliament B' will be where Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs can be cock of the roost as well as sit on comfy leather chairs and generally chillax," Nazri told reporters here after launching the e-Kerajaan portal.

Opposition lawmakers proposed last week that another Parliament be formed as the existing one had "failed miserably" to carry out its duties with integrity.

Nazri said the setting up of Parliament B was aimed at ending monopolisation of the government's legislative arm by the ruling coalition.

"I'm sure those who aren't in BN have better policy alternatives. BN may not get it right all the time, let me tell you. They are very partisan. I don't think anyone should have a monopoly, not even us," he said.

The Padang Rengas MP also dismissed criticisms that an alternate Parliament was unnecessary as PR lawmakers were free to raise dissenting views in the current august House.

BN had such a tight grip on Parliament that the only reasonable option was for a second one to be created, he pointed out.

"Excuse me, but have you witnessed parliamentary proceedings? No, this is the best way," he said.

Nazri added that Putrajaya would look into the possibility of forming a second judiciary and even an alternate Cabinet should Parliament B prove successful.
 
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