KUALA LUMPUR – Former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad has no qualms about being left out of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health, Science and Innovation.
However, Amanah's strategy director admitted to The Vibes that he was surprised that his name was not on the list of seven parliamentarians selected for the committee, and will find out more from his party’s whip, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, as well as Pakatan Harapan chief whip Datuk Johari Abdul.
“It’s okay if they think (Datuk) Xavier Jayakumar is more senior and appropriate (for the post). It doesn’t mean I have to be there but, if at all there is an allocation or provision (for me to join), I will certainly want to contribute. Otherwise, I can contribute through Pakatan.
“If they think Xavier should represent us, so be it. I have no qualms. As I’ve said, if there’s an allocation and quota (for me to join), I certainly wouldn’t mind. Otherwise, we can always develop policies and discuss things at the Pakatan level. I’m not hard up for the position,” said Dzulkefly.
According to a report by online health portal CodeBlue, the seven MPs selected for the committee comprise Yamani Hafez Musa (Umno), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Umno), Lukanisman Awang Sauni (GPS), Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PAS), Dr Kelvin Yii (DAP) and Xavier.
Dzulkefly also said that, during the coalition’s discussion regarding the PSCs, there was an understanding that he and his former deputy, Dr Lee Boon Chye (PKR-Gopeng), would be part of the committee.
The Kuala Selangor MP said he is also in the dark as to why there are no Amanah reps in the group, and wondered whether positions in the committee for the opposition is limited.
Meanwhile, on Lee's absence in the group, Xavier said it was up to the respective parties to nominate their candidates for the committee.
“The select committee (members) are decided on by the parties. The reps decide,” said Xavier. – The Vibes, December 18, 2020
Ex-health minister not bothered by parliamentary committee exclusion
However, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad still surprised name not on the list of MPs for health PSC
Updated 5 years ago · Published on 18 Dec 2020 1:58PM
