[UPDATED] Not a single MP put in request to debate flood issue in Parliament: Art Harun

KUALA LUMPUR – None of the lawmakers have put in requests to debate the flood issue in the Dewan Rakyat, said Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun in refuting criticisms that he had rejected the motion on Monday.

He said last-minute requests for debate motions need to be made to him a day in advance, as per Standing Order 18(1), before they can be brought to the lower House.

“As for the motion to debate the flood disaster, the MPs could have just sent me a WhatsApp (message) before Monday. In fact, a written motion can be made on Monday morning.

“However, no one has done so,” he said in a statement today, as reported by Bernama.

Azhar described the allegations against him as politically motivated, and refused to get involved in politics.

He said the only order of business for that day was the second and third reading of the amendments to the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

However, the reading could not be done because the process of engagement between Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and the opposition had not ended, and there were issues that needed to be resolved.

Azhar said an application for motion is needed before it can be brought up for debate, to enable the minister concerned to make preparations to answer matters raised in the House.

“I do not want to restrict the rights of MPs from debating current issues that are important and need to be expedited, but the Dewan Rakyat should not be degraded as a coffee shop by raising any issue arbitrarily without complying with the Standing Orders.

“There is no Parliament in the Commonwealth that debates any issue that is plucked from the air at will and at any time without following the rules and regulations.”

He said he is committed to an open discussion on issues faced by the people, and has even established 10 current select committees.

On Monday, Azhar shut down lawmakers’ call to debate issues regarding the massive floods that hit several states in Peninsular Malaysia, amid ongoing rescue efforts in badly hit areas such as Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, Hulu Langat, and Klang.

His attempt to quell demands for a debate was met with more shouting as he explained that there is another matter scheduled for debate – the proposed amendments to Act 342.

He said following the rules of the House, the minister will have to take the initiative to provide an explanation on the matter and give notice to the speaker.

“I don’t have the power to allow the jump from one issue to another.”

However, this prompted more shouting from the opposition bloc, causing a commotion in the lower House.

“Enough, sit down,” Azhar eventually told the MPs. – The Vibes, December 22, 2021