KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat’s latest descent into chaos today came when MPs realised that Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was not around to reply their queries on his briefing this morning about the emergency ordinances and National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Opposition lawmakers, shouting to Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun, demanded to know why Muhyiddin was not present on the floor to answer their questions.
“Never in the history of this Dewan, since we achieved independence, have substantive questions regarding the emergency been answered by the finance minister. Speaker, don’t allow this. We hold you responsible,” said an outraged opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“You are the speaker of the House! You must have courage!”
Several other MPs raised their voices, too, leading to Azhar losing control of the House once again.
“Where’s the PM? Where’s the PM?” was heard from the opposition side.
Some MPs sarcastically asked Azhar whether Muhyiddin is suffering another bout of diarrhoea.
Anwar said Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz does not have the competency to answer legislative questions, especially regarding the bombshell dropped by Law Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan this morning.
Takuyiddin, a PAS man, shocked the House when he announced that Putrajaya has revoked all six emergency ordinances retroactively, effective July 21.
Pulai MP Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub did not mince his words when lambasting Muhyiddin.
“Grow a pair! Why is the deputy prime minister not replying when the prime minister isn’t here? The deputy prime minister is in the House!”
This resulted in Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN) taking the floor to explain that Tengku Zafrul is responding on behalf of Muhyiddin given his responsibility as NRP coordinating minister.
Ismail Sabri dismissed claims that the issue discussed today is that of the emergency instead of national recovery, and that they are not related.
Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim told him that in order to discuss NRP, one must talk about the emergency, seeing that the recovery plan resulted from the government’s failure with the emergency.
Irritated, he asked a question that went unanswered: “Is the prime minister still interested in leading the country?”
Meanwhile, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng said none of this would have happened had Takiyuddin not made his announcement this morning.
“The emergency is important. We did not raise this matter, it was the law minister. This (revocation of ordinances) has not received Istana Negara’s assent. That’s why we want a clarification.
“What happens to the law (ordinances) after July 21? Only Bera can reply to this. He is the coordinating minister for security. Come on, Bera, you’re the new deputy prime minister, a leader. Just reply.”
Jelutong’s R.S.N. Rayer was direct with his demands, saying: “Speaker, has Pagoh lost all interest in leading the country?”
Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto tweeted her disappointment at being unable to raise issues pertaining to women, and expressed surprise that Muhyiddin was not in the House to reply.
“Shocking (that) PM isn’t here to answer. Baton handed to Finance Min. Travesty in Parliament.”
The Vibes also learnt that an eyewitness spotted Muhyiddin’s convoy returning to his private residence in Bukit Damansara around 1.45pm. – The Vibes, July 26, 2021
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