KUALA LUMPUR – An emergency motion filed by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muar-Muda) to debate the floods affecting the peninsular east coast was rejected by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul today on the grounds of “time constraint”.
The matter was revealed by Syed Saddiq in the lower house today, as he seeks approval to discuss the matter, which he described as of urgent public importance.
“Yesterday, I filed a motion under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2) of the Dewan Rakyat to debate the flooding issue.
“Just five minutes ago, I received a reply from the speaker that the motion was rejected due to time factor,” he said just as Johari was about to adjourn today’s Parliament sitting at around 11.30am.
The sitting ended much earlier than usual after the house passed without debate all three government motions related to public spending.
Syed Saddiq said while he understood the justification behind his motion’s rejection, the matter should at least be allowed for discussion in the special chamber.
He noted how during the floods last year, the then Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun had allowed a motion tabled by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was then the opposition leader, to be debated in the special chamber involving the relevant ministers.
Syed Saddiq pointed out this is provided under Standing Order 16(1), which stipulates that a special chamber shall consider any matter of administration for which the government is responsible and which involves matters of urgent public importance.
“This is an important issue involving 45,000 flood victims, and deaths have been reported.
“The Meteorological Department has said that the number of victims may increase to 10 million.
“I hope the speaker can provide a leeway. If not in Parliament, at least use your power under Standing Order 16(1) to allow a debate in the special chamber.
Johari responded saying this is unnecessary as Anwar, the finance minister and also the prime minister, has already given his commitment that immediate measures are being taken to address the issue.
“A huge allocation has also been allocated to assist the flood victims. For that, I feel this is in line with what you (Syed Saddiq) are thinking. Action has been taken,” he said.
Syed Saddiq filed his motion yesterday evening under Standing Orders 18(1) and 18(2), which pertain to how MPs can request Parliament to discuss a matter that is “definite, urgent, and of public importance.”
The provision, however, gives the speaker prerogative to refuse the motion’s tabling if he believes that the above requirements are not met.
Floods are currently happening in five states, with Kelantan and Terengganu among the worst hit while Pahang is the latest state to be affected by floods.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs, and Special Functions) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said yesterday that the current monsoon experienced in the country is expected to last until December 24.
The Meteorological Department yesterday also issued a continuous rain warning until December 21 for Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor, Perlis, Kedah, Perak, and Penang. – The Vibes, December 20, 2022
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