[UPDATED] Questions on Azam Baki won’t be entertained: Art Harun

KUALA LUMPUR – Attempts by the opposition to push Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun to allow for a debate on the issues surrounding the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Parliament has been dismissed.

Azhar said this is because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN), as the leader of the House, has not submitted any notice to Parliament for the matter to be discussed in today’s special sitting.

As such, he assumes that the motion to discuss the share ownership of MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki will not be included in today’s sitting and maintains that proceedings must follow the prepared order of business.

“According to the Standing Order 11(3), the agenda to be set by the prime minister for a special sitting shall be appointed exclusively by him.

“Since there is no motion moved by the prime minister on this matter, we will carry on with what has been decided,” he said at the beginning of today’s special sitting.

Azhar was responding to questions from Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (Pulai-PH) and Nga Kor Ming (Teluk Intan-PH) on whether he would allow the House to raise the controversies surrounding Azam.

Both Pakatan Harapan lawmakers had previously submitted an emergency motion to Azhar to debate the matter, but they were rejected.

Taking to Twitter, Nga expressed his disappointment over the decision, and uploaded a photo of the letter by the Dewan Rakyat speaker notifying him that his motion has been rejected.

Pagi ini saya melaporkan diri ke parlimen utk menghadiri sidang khas.Saya berasa amat kesal usul tergempar saya utk mempertahankan integriti SPRM telah ditolak dgn alasan “usul tidak termasuk dibawah urusan mesyuarat khas”.Jika mcm ini,apa guna ada usul tergempar? #KerajaanGagal pic.twitter.com/IykocyjiL0

— Nga Kor Ming (@NgaKorMing) January 20, 2022

Meanwhile, in Parliament, Salahuddin said it is pertinent that the issue involving Azam be debated as this involves the integrity of the anti-graft body.

Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-PH) said even if the motion to discuss Azam’s shares is not approved, MPs will still raise the issue during their debates, and asked if Ismail Sabri will be responding to them.

To this Azhar said: “Today’s agenda is about the flood, not about MACC. Anything that is relevant will definitely be answered. But if they are not relevant, how are they to answer?”

When pressed, Azhar said his ruling to not allow for debates on Azam is final.

According to today’s parliamentary order paper, four ministers will provide explanations on the government’s flood handling, following which MPs will debate them, and followed by the winding up speeches.

Ismail Sabri will explain on the flood situation, Special Functions Minister Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad will speak on the management of the disaster, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz will explain on the assistance, while Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man is scheduled to reveal the government’s long-term flood mitigation plans. – The Vibes, January 20, 2022