Your MP’s attendance record: The transparency test Malaysia is failing

In recent years, public attention in Malaysia has rightly focused on missing people.

Institutions such as the Malaysian human rights commission Suhakam have called out unexplained disappearances, enforced disappearances and human rights violations.

But here’s a question few ask: why not treat ‘missing MPs’ – elected representatives who seldom show up in Parliament – with the same seriousness?

Every missing MP is effectively a missing voice, a missing vote and a missing representation for their constituents.

Where to check attendance

Finding information about MP attendance isn’t impossible, but it’s not exactly straightforward either.

The official portal of the Malaysian Parliament lists sittings, Hansard (official transcripts) and statistics for the House of Representatives, which includes attendance information. The Hansard remains publicly viewable – you can check which MPs were recorded present or absent on given dates.

Then there are the independent watchdog initiatives.

MyMP is a volunteer-run site that tracks MP attendance, responsiveness, transparency and other metrics.

MyParliament is a dashboard that consolidates attendance records, parliamentary questions, voting records and more.

These resources exist precisely so voters can hold their MPs accountable. Yet, many in Malaysia don’t even know about them.

Poor attendance – even among senior MPs

Recent reporting highlights a worrying trend.

As of late 2025, two former prime ministers – Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahiaddin Yasin – reportedly missed 29 sittings, resulting in an attendance rate of 62.8%.

Some MPs registered very low attendance or skipped more than a third of sittings, yet continue to draw full salary and allowances.

In contrast, only a small fraction of MPs manage to attend all sittings and participate consistently.

Even more concerning: some MPs whose constituencies suffer high crime rates, unemployment or social issues still remain chronically absent from parliamentary duties – raising questions about representation, equity and accountability.

Is there accountability?

Technically, under recent reforms, MPs who fail to meet certain minimum attendance thresholds may risk losing allowances.

But here’s what actually happens. Attendance records are often buried in Hansard archives, not at the forefront of public scrutiny. Access often requires knowing how to navigate the parliamentary website or independent dashboards.

There is no sustained public scoreboard or regular ‘report card’ for MPs that gets media or public attention – which means few feel pressured to improve.

The result? Many MPs continue to enjoy full pay, perks and allowances even with low or patchy attendance – a distortion of democracy when people expect representation but get silence.

Why it matters

When MPs are missing, the missing voice isn’t just symbolic.

Constituents lose representation: no one speaks for their needs, problems or rights inside Parliament.
Legislation – including budget allocations, social policies or constituency-specific funding – may not get proper scrutiny.
And when elected officials are on the payroll but not on duty, public trust erodes. Cynicism and disillusionment grow.

There’s also the money. Many of these MPs receive substantial compensation –monthly allowances and benefits that run into tens of thousands of ringgit. Meanwhile, ordinary people struggle to make ends meet.

This gap – between expectation and performance – becomes a form of systemic corruption: not necessarily stealing money, but stealing representation, accountability and democratic legitimacy.

What needs to change

First, Parliament should publish a public ‘scoreboard’ – an easy-to-use, regularly updated portal showing each MP’s attendance, questions asked, votes cast, debates attended and constituency engagement. This would make accountability visible.

Second, civil society watchdogs should amplify these records. Independent sites like MyMP and MyParliament do the job, but need more media coverage and public awareness.

Third, voters should demand performance, not just party flags. Think of MPs like workers with job descriptions: present means working, absent means not –and vote accordingly.

Fourth, penalties should be meaningful. Absence should lead to real consequences: reduced allowances, public censure or other forms of accountability.

Until these are in place, many MPs will continue to draw heavy paycheques while delivering little to nothing.

A missing MP is a missing right

We speak up for missing persons. We protest against enforced disappearances.
We demand transparency, justice and accountability.

Why then do we treat missing MPs – those who vanish from their duty to represent us – as if it’s normal?

Representation is not just a title. It is a right, and it deserves vigilance.

If ‘missing people’ troubles you – missing MPs should too.

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