Bersih: Don't forget PM's Question Time was part of Harapan manifesto

Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 has called for de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong to reconsider his position on the issue of Prime Minister's Question Time (PMQT) in Parliament.

Its steering committee said PMQT was one of Pakatan Harapan promises in its election manifesto, that is to allocate 30 minutes every week for it in the Dewan Rakyat.

"While the prime minister can use the Minister's Question Time to take questions and the current PM does use it, there is no guarantee or convention to compel future PM from doing so.

"As chief executive of the cabinet, the PM should be held to account directly and speak for the government in a special PMQT, especially under current laws where the PM holds so much decision-making powers," the group said in its statement released to the media this evening.

The statement came as a response to Liew's recently, where the minister stated that there was no need for PMQT for the time being. 

Liew cited that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had been answering questions during MQT, which was allocated on Tuesdays and Thursdays, saying that it is sufficient at the moment.

Bersih added that PMQT is important in the sense of its symbolicity of the New Malaysia, besides its substantiveness in allowing MPs to question the premier on national issues.

"We call on the law minister to reconsider his position and amend the Standing Order of Parliament to implement PMQT as promised in the Buku Harapan in order to make the Parliament a strong institution to check executive powers." - Mkini