KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun explained to MPs today that he does not have the power to force ministers to answer questions, in the event that they refuse to do so.
The matter began when R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) referred to National Unity Minister Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique’s refusal to answer a question regarding key MIC leaders’ involvement in the alleged misappropriation of the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit yesterday.
Halimah cited that she was advised by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to refrain from answering questions over the matter, as investigations are underway.
Replying to Rayer, Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon said Halimah’s refusal to answer occurred during Question Time and not a debate, adding that the minister had answered the question.
This explanation did not sit well with Sim Tze Tzin (Bayan Baru-PH) and Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH), who raised their voices to point out that the minister did not actually answer the question.
The commotion prompted the intervention by Azhar, who took the reins as speaker for the session from Rashid.
Azhar said the matter is under investigation, and that it can only be answered upon the conclusion of the probe.
“If the investigation isn’t complete, how can the minister give you a conclusive answer?” Azhar asked.
He then referred to a book by Erskine May, former clerk of the United Kingdom House of Commons, to support his argument that he has no power to force ministers to answer questions.
“The speaker’s responsibility for questions is limited to compliance with the rules. That’s all my duty is.
“The responsibility for answers rests with ministers, not the speaker.
“So, the speaker does not have the power to force ministers to answer,” Azhar told the Dewan Rakyat.
He also touched on a statement by House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, who said upon a minister’s refusal to answer a question in Parliament, the matter becomes political.
Azhar said it then becomes debated in the political arena, adding that the speaker should not be pulled into such a matter.
However, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) reminded Azhar that he is supposed to give proper guidance if he is not at liberty to force an answer from a minister.
“Don’t portray that you are preventing (a) debate, this is what we are worried about.
“And if that is your technical interpretation of the rules, it means ministers can avoid any questions, which then becomes a big problem,” Anwar said. – The Vibes, November 18, 2021
