PN lawmakers want swift follow-up actions after PMQ session

The proposed Prime Minister's Question and Answer (PMQ) session that will see Anwar Ibrahim give quick answers in the Dewan Rakyat must be followed up by speedy actions from the relevant government agencies.

Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s Indera Mahkota MP Saifuddin Abdullah, who advocates effective governance, said the PMQ session "is very good because this was the original idea proposed after the 14th general election in 2018".

"But somehow it didn't materialise, and hence became MQT (Minister's Question and Answer)."

"The PMQ follows the tradition of the UK House of Commons. The real effect is (getting) speedy answers to issues raised and hopefully will be followed with quick actions from the relevant agencies," he told Malaysiakini.

Saifuddin Abdullah

"The other effect is, it should involve candid debates on policies. This will open our Parliament to lively contestation of ideas, which is pertinent in building 'knowledge politics' which is one of the basis for the new politics and political reform.

"But what we need is a more comprehensive reform of the systems and institutions, including parliamentary reforms, namely the role of the opposition leader, political financing act, recognition of the shadow cabinet, and CSA (Confidence and Supply Agreement).

"So, I have submitted my questions for the PMQ on these comprehensive reforms," he said.

According to Bernama yesterday, Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul said the PMQ session will undergo a pilot test when the Dewan Rakyat convenes next week.

Under Johari's proposal, the PMQ will be held every Tuesday and the MQT, which was held twice a week, will be reduced to one day on Thursday.

Mas Ermieyati Samsudin

PN’s Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who is in charge of law and institutional reform in PN's shadow cabinet, called for an extension of time in the MQT session.

"The way I look at it, the PMQ session will replace the MQT slot on Tuesday and the MQT will affect the time given to MPs to pose their questions directly to the ministers.

"(As a remedy), I would like to suggest that the number of questions on the MQT slot be increased to five from the existing three," she said.

Apart from PMQ, Johari also wants all backbenchers to participate in a parliamentary select committees (PSCs) and they will decide on Feb 13 how many PSCs they will form, each committee’s focus, as well as who the members will be.

Both Saifuddin and Mas Ermieyati lauded the move.

"It is good to involve all MPs. To do this, we may add the number of committees," said Saifuddin.

"This is one way we can enhance the MP's role as a lawmaker. In this regard, PN has formed 26 committees in Parliament where every MP has a role. So, I believe our MPs are ready to participate in the proposed committees," he added.

‘Speaker must be fair’

Meanwhile, PAS Jerantut MP Khairul Nizam Khirudin said PAS and PN will support whatever good efforts are being made by the government in transforming Parliament.

He, however, said that what was mooted by Johari - be it the PMQ and the active involvement of backbenchers in PSCs - was not something new but was similar to the ones pushed by the previous government.

"The opposition will support whatever measures being taken to transform or strengthen Parliament. Under the PN government, we had come up with efforts to strengthen PSC too," he said.

Khairul said the best way to transform Parliament is for the speaker to act fairly.

"It's easy - the speaker needs to be fair to everyone. That's all," he said. - Mkini