KUALA LUMPUR – MPs will be able to debate and vote during the special Parliament sitting slated to begin on July 26, said Datuk Marzuki Mohamad, the prime minister’s principal private secretary.
He did not specify the list of topics expected to be brought up during the session, reported Malaysiakini.
Marzuki’s comments, made in a webinar this morning, come amid concerns that the five-day Dewan Rakyat sitting will be limited to just government briefings without any vote held with regard to the emergency proclamation and ordinances.
It is ultimately up to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to finalise the agenda, he said.
“(As for) the specific agenda, I believe the prime minister will decide and a notice will be given to all MPs.”
He confirmed that parliamentary select committees (PSCs) will also be allowed to meet in the same period.
The Public Accounts Committee, and Health, Science and Innovation PSC have announced plans to reconvene.
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who also participated in the webinar, praised the government.
“Marzuki has emphasised that there will be debates (and) voting. I think this is what it should be. We take the bull by the horns.
“If the government believes it is doing a good job, it must explain itself and let the people decide.
“To be fair, the government is trying its very best with these challenges we are facing amid the pandemic. So, I think two-way communication will be very good for the rakyat (rather) than one-way communication.”
Datuk Marzuki, sila jawab. pic.twitter.com/KMlpoG2ei4
— Fahmi Fadzil ??? (@fahmi_fadzil) July 7, 2021
The Prime Minister’s Office on Monday announced special sittings for both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, but the lack of mention of debates led to lawmakers voicing their concerns.
The Dewan Rakyat will meet from June 26 to 29, and on August 2, while the Dewan Negara will convene from August 3 to 5.
In response to Marzuki, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil of PKR said: “Will all MPs be able to debate and vote on the National Recovery Plan, emergency proclamation and emergency ordinances, as per Istana Negara’s statement, or will it just be ‘put on our tables’?”
Marzuki and Azalina were panellists in the webinar titled “Should Parliament be a full-time institution?” organised by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and Asian Strategy and Leadership Inc.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii and Maha Balakrishnan, co-author of Malaysian Parliamentary Procedure: A Guide to the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, were the other speakers.
The discussion was moderated by Sunway University governance studies Prof Wong Chin Huat. – The Vibes, July 7, 2021
