KUALA LUMPUR – Four Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers found themselves stranded in Jakarta for nearly a day when their Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight to Malaysia was delayed, and then cancelled last night.
Three of the four lawmakers involved – Subang MP Wong Chen, Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau and Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii – took to Facebook while Petaling Jaya MP Lee Chean Chung remained mum on his social media platforms.
DAP’s Yii said in a post at 11.32pm last night that there was a “problem with the communications systems”, preventing the pilot from communicating with the tower.
“Glad they figured that out before we flew. They tried restarting the system a few times but it still didn’t work.
“We still do not know when we are flying tomorrow. Hopefully (we) will be able to make it for Parliament,” he said, referring to today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting that is scheduled for 10am.
Several minutes later, former Upko president Madius said the four MPs had been in Jakarta for an Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) conference and were supposed to leave the Indonesian capital on a 6.40pm flight.
“We had already checked in and gone through Immigration, but the flight was suddenly delayed before being cancelled.
“As an MP, I have a responsibility to attend Parliament. Us four MPs have been forced to wait in Jakarta until there is another MAS flight.
“These sorts of things should not be happening,” he added while sharing several photos of the four MPs in the airport.
The latest update from the group was from Wong, who said at 7.47am that passengers have been informed that their flight has been rescheduled to 2pm today and is set to arrive in KLIA at 5.10pm.
“I was supposed to meet women’s rights non-governmental organisations on the lack of gender-responsive budgeting in Budget 2023 at (about) 12pm in Parliament today.
“I was also due to preside as acting speaker for the second chamber at 2.30pm, as there are many emergency debates on the Johor floods,” said the PKR man.
He also took the time to quip that “not all is bad unless you are a Manchester United fan” as the football team crashed out 7-0 in a game against Liverpool.
Among the topics to be raised in the lower house today include the government’s plan to face the economic turmoil expected this year before the Dewan Rakyat continues to debate the Supply Bill 2023 at the policy level for the fifth day. – The Vibes, March 6, 2023
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