Courtesy code for Malaysian MPs

By Steve Jackson
BBC News

Karpal Singh was described as a "big monkey".

The Malaysian government is launching a campaign to try to improve the behaviour of members of parliament.

It follows incidents of name-calling and abuse during debates.

The government says it will introduce a code of ethics for MPs, and may use leaflets to try to teach them proper parliamentary etiquette.

Malaysian TV viewers were shocked earlier this year when lawmakers traded insults during the first televised parliamentary debate.

A well-known opposition MP, Karpal Singh, called a rival from the governing party "bigfoot", referring to a mythical Malaysian apeman.

In return he was described as a "big monkey".

Society will look at them differently if they misbehave Shafie Apdal Malaysian government minister

Two other lawmakers were told to apologise last year for making crude remarks in parliament about a female colleague's menstrual cycle.

Malaysia's Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, Shafie Apdal, told the state news agency Bernama: "It's important for MPs to be more careful with their words".

"Society will look at them differently if they misbehave," he said.

"MPs draw much attention from the people listening when they speak and as such they must be courteous."

Malaysia's lower house of parliament has been dominated by the same ruling coalition for decades.

The BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant, says competition for seats in parliament has often been about internal party politics rather than demonstrating ability as an accomplished public speaker and legislator.