The government is studying the proposed code of ethics to bind politicians to good behaviour despite there already being the Ministerial Functions Act to regulate the conduct of ministers, said de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim in Parliament today.

Rais said deputy ministers, parliament secretaries and political secretaries are also subjected to this act which has been in effect since independence.

"However, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would from time to time direct all ministers to maintain their performance and achievements at the maximum level," Rais said.

"Nevertheless, there are times when the unexpected would happen and we would have to deal with it (ministers' conduct) according to the needs of the public," he added.

Rais was responding to a question by Lee Kah Choon (BN-Jelutong) who wanted to know the rationale of the government's proposal two months ago for new laws to regulate the behaviour of politicians.

Recently, Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) had called upon the prime minister to take to task ministers, their deputies and parliament secretaries who were not carrying out their duties well.

He questioned their absence in Parliament to answer questions by the MPs.

Following this, Mahathir had remarked that MPs should not 'wash dirty linen' in public and held a meeting with the backbenchers club members on the matter.

Sedition cases pending

Meanwhile, Rais said apart from the proposed code of ethics, public peace can be maintained by applying the Sedition Act, Police Act and Public Order Ordinance on politicians who were deemed to be seditious.

He said such seditious acts could be proven through writings and speeches, which were admissible in a court of law.

"The police are careful in gathering evidence of this nature and there are already cases pending in the Attorney-General's Chambers," Rais said.

He reminded politicians of their responsibility to maintain peace and harmony in the country.