Tongue-tied Hui Ying takes heat for not answering in Dewan

KUALA LUMPUR – Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying (Tanjong-PH) was chided by Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN) today after she failed to prepare an answer to a question during Parliament’s question-and-answer session. 

When pressed by Ramli on whether she will be answering a query posed by Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (Pengkalan Chepa-PN) on the Rancangan Makanan Tambahan programme, Lim admitted that she was unable to answer at the moment. 

“I apologise, but the answer to (Marzuk’s) question has not been prepared. Can I give a written answer instead?” she requested, to which opposition lawmakers could be heard jeering. 

Amid the uproar over Lim’s admission, an indignant Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran-PN) appeared to take issue with Lim’s response, saying: “Questions for the ministers were submitted a long time ago. The minister should have prepared a response.” 

Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying (Tanjong-PH) was chided by Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor today after she failed to prepare an answer to a question during Parliament’s question-and-answer session. https://t.co/8bHH7GQx9H pic.twitter.com/zC5n9r2Apk

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) March 27, 2023

Subsequently, Ramli directly reprimanded Lim, noting that he “understands the scenario and predicament” faced by MPs whose questions are not answered in the lower House. 

“(Lim), this should not have happened. I hope that the government will please take note of this matter.

“This is not a good scenario for the government,” he said, causing Lim to apologise again while promising to not repeat her mistake.

In a press conference later, Marzuk, a former deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs), called for Lim and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek to resign from their positions, claiming that Lim’s “incompetency” is a waste of government funds. 

“This is something that has never happened in our Parliament’s history. It is very disappointing. 

“What is the point of the deputy minister being in Parliament if she cannot answer submitted questions? She (Lim) should have come prepared, it is not her responsibility to merely fill seats on the government aisle,” he said. 

He also stated that when he was part of the government, ministers or their deputies would have made sure that answers to questions in Parliament were ready two weeks prior. – The Vibes, March 27, 2023