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 inadequate handling of abusive MPs. Patto claimed the committee's infrequent meetings and lenient punishments allow offending lawmakers to escape meaningful accountability. She noted that if the committee does not convene or a lawmaker is absent, the offending MP is often allowed to retraction their comments without consequence.

Patto highlighted instances of gender bias and microaggressions faced by female and younger MPs, including being mistaken for staff and receiving personal insults. She emphasized that as MPs, they represent 34 million Malaysians, and being likened to someone short is inappropriate.