KUALA LUMPUR – Accusing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of making contradictory statements during his Budget 2023 policy speech, an opposition MP said the prime minister must be referred to the parliamentary Committee of Privileges.
Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu-PN) today raised with Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor that Anwar’s budget speech had misled and was in contempt of the lower House, in accordance with Section 36(12) of the Standing Orders.
Rosol also claimed that a snippet of Anwar’s speech about RM10 billion in embezzled subsidies had contradicted the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry’s records, where only RM18.7 million of it was successfully halted.
He added that the ministry announced it planned to establish a task force to evaluate the RM10 billion, but later said it had only begun to collect data on the matter.
“This shows discrepancies between data by Tambun (Anwar) and what was explained by (the ministry).
“I request that the Dewan Rakyat refer this case (to the parliamentary Committee of Privileges),” said Rosol.
Ramli told the opposition lawmaker to raise the issue once again with Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul the in afternoon session as the speaker and his deputies strive for unanimous decisions on parliamentary affairs.
However, R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) stepped in, saying that any objections to the budget should have been raised during the winding-up speech that day itself.
“If there were any objections at that time, they should have been raised when the finance minister (Anwar) gave his winding-up speech – and not make claims without cross-checking.
“But, no one from the opposition was present that day to listen to the minister’s mandate. Why bring it up now?” he added.
Ramli then reminded MPs that the debate on the matter has been recorded and included in the Hansard.
He urged those upset to wait for the speakers’ decision. – The Vibes, March 15, 2023
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