PARLIAMENT | Opposition MPs today urged Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the cabinet to take responsibility for the failure of ministers and deputy ministers to attend the Dewan Rakyat session to answer questions.
According to Afnan Hamimi Taib Azmudden (Perikatan Nasional - Alor Setar), the opposition was upset as they felt the failure to be present showed that the minister and deputy minister involved were not serious about carrying out their duties.
He also said it was unfortunate when the oral question session this morning had to be postponed by deputy Dewan Rakyat speaker Ramli Md Nor, when the minister who was supposed to answer the question was absent.
"If the minister cannot answer, the deputy minister should be present to answer. In this case, both the foreign minister and his deputy were absent.
"When the question was asked, the speaker had to postpone the question to another time.
"Although the speaker has discretion, what we want to emphasise is the minister's failure to attend," Afnan Hamimi (above) said at a press conference in Parliament today.
Also present was Nurul Amin Hamid (PN-Padang Terap).
The MP was referring to Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir and his deputy Mohamad Alamin.
Afnan Hamimi said it was not an isolated incident as a similar incident occurred yesterday.
Elaborating, he said that it happened in the special chamber, when a question that should have rightly been answered by the rural and regional development minister (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) regarding Orang Asli issue was answered by the deputy transport minister instead.
"Even if there is a (prepared) text that can be read, this shows a lack of seriousness," he lamented.
At the same time, Afnan Hamimi, who is also PAS Youth chief, acknowledged that there are some ministers who show a high level of commitment as they are always present at the house sessions.
"I urge the prime minister and cabinet to explain what really happened.
"Isn't there someone who monitors these ministers and their deputies to ensure that they are present on time to answer questions?" he asked. - Mkini
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