Rights and privileges committee too soft on abusive MPs, says Kasthuri

Former Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto has criticized the parliamentary rights and privileges committee for its ineffective handling of abusive MPs. She claims the committee's infrequent meetings and weak reprimands allow offending lawmakers to avoid meaningful accountability. Patto highlighted that sending an MP to the committee is but a "very light tap on the wrist" since the panel meets infrequently.

Furthermore, if the speaker fails to convene a meeting or the targeted MP is absent, the offender is set free. She also revealed that female and younger MPs often face systemic gender bias and microaggressions from parliamentary staff and male colleagues who erroneously assume they must be older men. Patto shared personal experiences of being mistaken for administrative staff and facing personal insults in Parliament.

Despite the demeaning comments, such as being called "pendek" (meaning "short"), she felt it inappropriate to ridicule or dismiss an MP responsible for representing her constituents. She questioned the perception of short stature when considering the significant role MPs play in speaking for the 34 million Malaysians.