KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) leaders are not able to pose their questions to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim effectively even if they were present during Dewan Rakyat sittings, alleged PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.
He said PN’s top three leaders’ absenteeism in Parliament is moot, as most people often do not understand parliamentary procedures, especially during Prime Minister Question Time (PMQT).
“During the PMQT session, not everyone can ask questions (to the prime minister).
“Even if PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang is present, he cannot simply ask questions,” Tuan Ibrahim was quoted as saying Malaysiakini.
He added that additional questions from the floor are still subject to Dewan Rakyat rules.
The Kubang Kerian MP hit back at government lawmakers, claiming their attendance has also been abysmal when the prime minister is not present in the Dewan Rakyat.
“There is no need to bring this up. If you want to count their (government lawmakers) absence, it is even more terrible…their attendance is better when the prime minister is around.”
According to parliamentary conventions, MPs who wish to pose questions to the prime minister must enter their names to the day’s Order Paper, which is usually set by the speaker.
Those who are not listed in the Order Paper may interject in the Dewan Rakyat and be given way by the speaker to pose their questions during PMQT.
On Tuesday, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil slammed PN’s leaders for their repeated absence during PMQT, saying it was a missed opportunity for the opposition to confront the prime minister through supplementary questions.
Many political observers opined that the said leader’s absence could be perceived as a sign of disrespect towards their voters’ mandate.
However, they also noted that this will do little to sway public support due to their staunch and highly partisan supporters. – The Vibes, April 4, 2023
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