KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat must allow debates in the special July sitting to let lawmakers discuss the nation’s pressing matters, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
Anwar’s remarks came after Parliament allocated only a day each to focus on five core issues when the lower house sits, earning the rebuke that it is merely a briefing session.
He added that this is especially concerning as the matters involve the lives and livelihoods of Malaysians, and which would see a large number of MPs expressing interest in taking part in the debates.
“It must be emphasised that the implementation and effectiveness of government programmes aimed at battling the Covid-19 pandemic can only come to light during the debates.
“Additionally, these programmes can be improved when lawmakers are allowed to voice their views and recommendations during debates,” he said in a statement today.
He added that the Dewan Rakyat’s role as a check and balance against the federal government must not be suppressed.
He reminded Azhar that parliamentarians are not paid to nod and agree on issues without detailed debates.
Parliament will reconvene for special sittings after the government cave in to pressure from the royal institution, opposition members including Umno MPs not in the ruling administration, as well as citizens.
The Prime Minister’s Office said on July 5 that the government had agreed that the Dewan Rakyat will sit from July 26 to 29 and August 2, while the Dewan Negara will meet on August 3 to 5. – The Vibes, July 17, 2021
