The case of humor in the Malaysian House of Representatives

David Yoong,

doi:10.1515/humor-2012-0014

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The case of humor in the Malaysian House of Representatives

David Yoong,

Published/Copyright: July 28, 2012

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From the journal Humor Volume 25 Issue 3

Abstract

Being one of the highest public offices, parliamentary businesses are governed by rules and protocols that severely limit the behavioral conduct of Members of Parliament (MPs). MPs must modulate their behavior to the expectations of parliamentary practices. Hence, they cannot behave as they would in informal settings when parliament is in session. Based on his or her discretion, the Chair may subject MPs who violate these written (and unwritten) rules and protocols to censure and punishments. Since MPs are expected to behave formally and avoid being emotional in order to create an impression of objectivity and distinguished professionalism, it is worth asking whether humor is a form of disorderly practice in parliaments. In this paper, I argue that it is, and that the disorderliness of humor may either be acceptable or unacceptable depending on certain parameters. Analyzing instances of humor in the Malaysian House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) during Question Time, this paper sets out to explain the conditions that make humor acceptable or unacceptable forms of disorderliness.

Keywords: Malaysia; House of Representatives; Dewan Rakyat; Standing Orders; Parliament; disorderliness of interaction; orderliness of interaction

Published Online: 2012-07-28

Published in Print: 2012-07-28

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Articles in the same Issue

https://doi.org/10.1515/humor-2012-0014

Keywords for this article

Malaysia; House of Representatives; Dewan Rakyat; Standing Orders; Parliament; disorderliness of interaction; orderliness of interaction