DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim refuted claims by the Opposition that he was avoiding question posed to him during the Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT).
Earlier Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) raised Standing Order 24(A), pointing out that only questions from government lawmakers had been selected for the Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT) for the third consecutive week.
Takiyuddin said that Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin (PN-Putrajaya) had submitted his question to the Dewan Rakyat secretary within the stipulated time frame.
"All the questions raised, I have answered. But if the same question has already been answered twice, even by the minister and it's asked again, then of course we'll give the same answer. That's why I agree with the Speaker's decision.
"To say that I'm avoiding (the questions), I am not. Kota Bharu should listen. I'm not avoiding any question but we've already answered and even read out the relevant provisions of the agreement here in this House," Anwar said as reported by The New Straits Times.
Earlier, Takiyuddin said that the Opposition was not being given a fair chance to ask questions during the PMQT.
"Today, there are two questions, both from government lawmakers. There were supposed to be three questions, but even if it's just two, at least give one to the Opposition," he said.
Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said that the Opposition had only submitted one question, while government MPs had submitted eight.
"The Prime Minister has already answered these questions multiple times. By now, I could almost memorise his responses," he said.
Johari then called on the Opposition Chief Whip to encourage more submissions of questions from the Opposition bench.
Takiyuddin, however, said that the Opposition had the right to be treated fairly in posing questions.
In response, Johari said it was within his prerogative as Speaker, urging the Opposition to submit more questions while also being fair to him. – November 11, 2025
