MPs lament Speaker’s refusal to allow debate on floods

 

Pakatan Harapan MPs said they wanted to know the government’s response to the ‘flood crisis’.

KUALA LUMPUR: Several Pakatan Harapan MPs have lamented the refusal of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun to allow debate on the massive flooding in five states.

Azhar said the matter was not listed in today’s order paper for discussion and therefore it could not be debated.

At a press conference at the Parliament building, Khalid Samad (PH-Shah Alam) said the MPs missed the opportunity to conduct a “post-mortem” on the government’s response to the flood crisis, which he described as too slow.

“The Dewan session that took place today was a huge opportunity (for MPs) to get explanations from the defence minister, home minister, and the prime minister on their response to the crisis.

“There were problems – such as slow efforts to rescue the victims, and lack of facilities and equipment at flood shelters – that should be explained by the government,” he said.

Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) expressed disappointment with Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for not offering an explanation on the government’s response despite being present in the Dewan.

“He could have stood up and requested that the Speaker allow him to provide an explanation.

“We wanted to know the government’s response to the crisis, and now we have to wait until March. This is why people are angry with politicians and the government,” Fahmi said.

He also voiced disappointment with the Speaker for not allowing the debate on the flood crisis.

“Why didn’t he (Azhar) use his power to allow the flood crisis to be debated, or ask the prime minister to explain the government’s response to the crisis?

“It is as if they do not see this (flood crisis) as a serious issue,” he said.

Azhar’s refusal to allow the debate also drew criticism on social media.

Undi18 co-founder Qyira Yusri tweeted that the Speaker had “blood on his hands” for refusing to allow the matter to be debated.

On Azhar’s assertion that the matter could not be debated because it was not on the order paper, Twitter user @twtbyshah pointed to Standing Order 18: “The Speaker has the absolute right to determine the interests of the people for discussion.”

User @aaron16denison called for Azhar’s resignation for refusing to allow the debate.

“Art Harun should just resign as the Speaker of the House for not having any empathy for the victims affected by the floods. This is an issue of the highest order,” he said. - FMT