Blogging live in Parliament
UPDATED VERSION. I am taking my oath as an elected Member of Parliament this morning. The swearing-in of the Members of Parliament is done in batches of foursome. It will be some time before my turn. So, here I am and I blog.
It's amusing to see a sea change two metres away from my seat. They, facing the Speaker, are the ex-Ministers and axed Ministers, namely Ku Li, Ong Ka Ting and that Fat Lady on the front row; and Fong Chan Onn, Azmi Khalid and JJ on the second row.
I am amused to hear several Umno ministers miss/omit the words 'menunaikan kewajipan-kewajipan saya (sebagai yang demikian) dengan JUJUR'.. Not believing my ears, I double checked with Charles Santiago, who sits besides me, and he confirmed what I heard.
Jujur!
UPDATES. Immediately after the Ministers had taken their oath and before the deputy ministers took theirs, MP Karpal Singh alerted the Speaker that some of the Members of Parliament were just sworn in without seeing them raising their hands. The Speaker issued a reminder and the Opposition side thumped the desk.
Not mentioning the words 'dengan jujur', and now no raising the hands when taking oath. Aaah!
MORE UPDATES. When it comes to Karpal's turn around 12.00 noon, he informed the Speaker that, in order not to arouse any objection from the floor, he could only raise his left hand taking oath as his right hand had been inconvenienced due to the accident. The house thumped desk again.
The last MP to take the oath was Ibrahim Ali, an independent candidate from Kelantan who stood on a borrowed ticket as his party platform in GE2008. He turned up in his trademark yellow suit. Ghapur Salleh, MP from Kalabakan, referred to Standing Order 41 by saying that Ibrahim did not wear a lounge suit or baju kebangsaan, hence in breach of the SO. However, the Speaker allowed it as Ibrahim is considered a Calon Bebas.
UPDATES. The seats are not configured for computing to support good posture. It's not very computing friendly as the laptop screen couldn't be open to optimal angle while the height of the table-top will hurt computer users in the long run.
The bandwidth, networked with Cat-5 cable, is reasonably efficient circa 1.5Mbps, though I would prefer a soft cable for better flexibility.
But latching onto the Internet is not just about blogging. I would want to Google on-the-spot if any of the Ministers are misleading the House with wrong facts. Also, checking Hansard archives would be in a jiffy as the Parliament sitting goes on live.
That's Parliament in the Internet Age.
Comments
YB Jeff Ooi,
Best Wishes to you on this very historic moment in our Parliamentary history and indeed, in the history of this country.
And now, live blogging from Parliament too!!! How historic can you get?! You are probably the first person anywhere in the world to be blogging live from parliament! Man, it blows the mind!!!
Good luck and kick those BN butts.
Posted by: Justice Bao![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 11:09 AM
Hello Jeff
I tried to check the seating arrangement of all the MP in the Dewan Rakyat through the Parliament website but according to the site it is being updated.
Wasn't the seating arrangment being announced sometimes back? Why the delay in putting up the layout in its website?
Regards
Posted by: twotablet![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 11:23 AM
I never thought that I would see the day that a blog is updated from within the Malaysian Parliament personally by an MP about its proceedings.
Having said that, I suppose previously no one bothered to report anything as the word Parliament in this country means little to the commons.
Perhaps, from now on, the word Parliament might mean something. I hope.
Posted by: WK Cheang![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 12:22 PM
excellent!
Posted by: CY![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 01:35 PM
YB Jeff,
wow update from parliament. Great bro!!!
Now did they leave the jujur part on purpose or pure mistake. They should be told to take their oath again.
Name the buggers, we want to know.
Posted by: rocky![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 03:17 PM
Way to go brother. MSM will have be be vigilant now.
Posted by: zorro![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 04:53 PM
Cat-5? You mean there is no WIFI in our parliament?? How much would an wireless access point costs??
Posted by: Steve![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 05:48 PM
Time to get Fujitsu P1610 and a wireless 3G connection.. ;)
Posted by: nUtZ`![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 28, 2008 07:00 PM
Hi Jeff.
It feels so good knowing from now on things are going to be much more transparent and much more communicated.
Parliament is really going to mean something from now on. and it made me smile thinking we can finally put those monkeys in their places.
And thats good news for all Malaysians. To think all these came just from Hope. Good Stuff :)
Best wishes YB!
Posted by: Patroit![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 29, 2008 11:03 AM
As a tech guy, I would recommend physical connection rather than WiFi. A laptop with WiFi is even more vulnerable to hacking or eavesdropping. What more a minister's laptop?
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/27/Gone-in-2-minutes-Mac-gets-hacked-first-in-contest_1.html
Posted by: conkerer![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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April 29, 2008 01:15 PM
Hi YB,
Kaw Parliament Jelutong event Aug30, 08
Glad2 to u in person today in Jelutong community of MPPP Flats.
U were visiting a project there with a group of people.
Unfortunately, my mum backyard gardening(with is indeed in 'tanah' MPPP) with "keatlah" & pandan plants(not TREE???) were being uprooted by some of people in u group.
Reason given, some people in MPPP flat asked to cut down.
When I spoken to u, I was asked to discuss within my community AFTER U people HAD CUT DOWN PLANT.
As most snr in rank of YBs there, u should TAKE UP THE responsible for what happenings.
What i emphasise again, THIS incident of simply cut down by the people with hearsay by other people without consulting the one who grow it for a in tanah MPPP may happen AGAIN ELSE WHERE. Power is in u hand. Don't misuse it.
JEFF OOI says: This explicitly displays that the members of the community themselves must interact more often on common space and common interests. It's also time to discard "Not in my backyard" syndrome should community wish to come together. Secondly, don't cry over spilled milk. You could re-plant the "keatlah" fruits but in a better manner so that they don't turn into an unkempt bush.
Hope 2 see u in Parliament helping to fight for inflation on FOOD(economy rice is getting expensive though govt reduce petrol now)...........
Posted by: Jel community![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jeffooi.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 30, 2008 09:59 PM