MPs CRITICIZE NO-DEBATE SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY MEETING

July 16, 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUALA LUMPUR: Members of parliament (MPs) have expressed criticism and dissatisfaction towards the special pariamentary meeting that will be convened without debate for five days starting July 26.

They condemned the itinerary of the Dewan Rakyat session after finding that it is only for briefings from ministers.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin in his Twitter said: "Oral questions, ministerial questions, motions, discussion of the bill are not allowed.

"The people's problems can only be discussed in September."

On the other hand, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman described the special meeting as embarrassing.

"What is the function of Parliament if an MP whose salary is worth tens of thousands only needs to be present to hear statements from the ministers?

"Where is our right to speak and to vote? It has been months of lockdown yet the cases have not resided and have instead risen to 13,000. The people hired me, therefore I must bring their voices,” he tweet read.

Meanwhile, Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh said: "This means MPs can only ask questions to ministers in Parliament starting September".

Meanwhile, Pulai MP Datuk Salahuddin Ayub regarded the parliamentary session on July 26 to August 2 as a 'kindergarten class'.

"This violates the Agong's order on June 29 to discuss the emergency ordinance and implement check and balance of the country's administration," he stated.

Parit Buntar MP Datuk Seri Dr. Mujahid Yusof Rawa also described the Parliamentary Session under Perikatan Nasional (PN) as an 'information conference'

“The parliamentary session under PN has become an information session. Under the Rules of Parliament, there will be no debate for five days," he said on Twitter.

Former Prime Minister who is also Pekan MP Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on his Facebook stated: "If you just hold a parliamentary session to give a briefing for five days in a row then record it in a video to be uploaded to Youtube for us to watch".

He said the King and the Malay rulers issued a statement on June 16 that a parliamentary session should be held as soon as possible to discuss the National Recovery Plan and the Emergency Ordinances.

“It is not for us to go to parliament to hear explanations or briefings from the ministers.

“Is it hard to understand the King's order?" he questioned.

The itinerary of the five-day conference will be uploaded on social media and no other sessions will be held except for the minister's explanation.

Earlier, Yang di-Pertua Dewan Rakyat, Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said, a special pariamentary meeting will be held for five days starting July 26.

While the First Meeting of the Dewan Rakyat for the fourth term, the 14th Parliament will be held for 15 days from September 6 to September 30 and the second meeting will begin on October 25 to December 16 for 32 days.