Many MPs missing in action

KUALA LUMPUR: They worked long and hard during an often intense 14th General Election campaign to win seats in the Dewan Rakyat, yet some MPs are apparently finding it a challenge to attend the daily meetings in the august House. And it is only the second day of the second week of the new Parliament.

A day after the Prime Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the attendance of ministers and their deputies in Parliament, the Dewan Rakyat was forced to halt proceedings temporarily yesterday due to a lack of quorum.

Although the delay only lasted several minutes, it was widely shared on social media.

Some people were dismayed by the episode, while others were willing to accept that some of the MPs could have been very busy with other responsibilities, including their jobs in the ministries..

Mohamad Ariff took note of the Sarawak MP’s observation and stopped proceedings. The bell was rung for two minutes to prompt lawmakers elsewhere in the Parliament building to enter the Dewan.

“There are no ministers or deputy ministers in the House, so can we proceed as there is a lack of quorum?” Alexander asked when the House resumed at 2.30pm after the lunch break.

Mohamad Ariff took note of the Sarawak MP’s observation and stopped proceedings. The bell was rung for two minutes to prompt lawmakers elsewhere in the Parliament building to enter the Dewan.

The proceedings resumed after Mohamad Ariff announced that there were 35 MPs in the hall.

Poor turnout: Photos posted on Twitter by Annuar showing a nearly empty Dewan Rakyat.

Under Standing Orders 13, there must be at least 26 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan to allow proceedings to be held.

It is understood that some MPs had attended the funeral of Bala­kong assemblyman Eddie Ng yesterday.

Pictures tweeted by Tan Sri Ann­uar Musa (BN-Ketereh) at various times showed an almost empty hall.

On Monday, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had exp­ressed his dissatisfaction over the attendance of his Cabinet members and their deputies in Parliament.

He said ministers and deputy ministers should improve on their attendance records or have valid reasons if they cannot make it.

Last week, Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) also questioned why the Government’s front bench was empty during the motion of thanks on the Royal Address.

“Not even a single Cabinet Min­ister in the Dewan Rakyat to listen to the Opposition leader’s speech,” the Rembau MP had tweeted.

Facebook user Afiq Ghazali said the ministers were working hard as the country’s debt was RM1 trillion.

But another user, Iskandar Suw, pointed out that not all MPs had ministerial duties.

“Other MPs should put their commitment in Parliament and bring the rakyat’s issues there,” he said.

Jasper Dasper suggested that allowances of absent MPs be cut and demerit points be given for “absence without solid reasons”.

Former minister Tan Sri Rais Yatim shared a similar view in a tweet, adding that another measure could be the publication of the names of “lazy” MPs in newspapers or on social media.- Star