LGBT, yen credit are on today’s Dewan Rakyat agenda
KUALA LUMPUR: Another explosive Dewan Rakyat session is likely to be on the cards this week.
According to the order paper of the Dewan Rakyat for today, questions for the day range from the economy to other national issues.
However, one question that stands out and may spark a row among lawmakers is a query by Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris (BNJerantut) on whether the government will clamp down on the spread of LGBT culture.
Nazlan, who directed the question at Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said the spread of the culture was worrying and clashed with Islamic teachings.
The issue stems from LGBT activist Numan Afifi who was reportedly pressured to step down as Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman’s interim press officer following scathing remarks by Netizens.
While Numan had gone on record to state that he was never officially appointed despite his name being listed on the ministry’s website as “special officer”, the listing was nevertheless removed after the issue went viral.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa had reportedly said Numan, as a citizen, should not be discriminated against because of his sexual orientation.
The minister in charge of Islamic affairs, however, said Numan had kept quiet and did not challenge or report the matter, so nothing could be done.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BNBagan Datuk) is slotted to ask the finance minister on the government’s rationale for the bid to get a yen credit loan.
“Wouldn’t it increase national loans, as the exchange rate is higher even though the interest rate is said to be lower?” said the former deputy prime minister.
His question is listed as the first question on the order paper for today’s session.
Dr Mahathir, during his visit to Japan last month, had requested Japan to extend a yen credit to Malaysia in the form of a soft loan, and his counterpart, Shinzo Abe, in turn said he would consider the request. The loan was sought to retire old loans and to offset high borrowing costs.
Seventy-eight questions have been listed on the order paper, but it is unlikely that all will see the light of the day during the 1½-hour long question-andanswer session, which is held by convention from 10am to 11.30am daily when the Dewan Rakyat sits.
However, there are no new laws nor are there any amendments to laws slotted in the Dewan Rakyat’s order paper for the day.
Members of parliament will continue to debate the motion of thanks to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech at the opening of the first sitting, first session of the 14th Parliament.
Also on the order paper is a no confidence motion brought by Khoo Poay Tiong (DAPKota Melaka) against Election Commission deputy chairman Tan Sri Othman Mahmood and five members of the commission.
This includes Datuk Md Yusop Mansor, Datuk Abdul Aziz Khalidin, Sulaiman Narawi, Datuk Bala Singam Karupiah and Datuk Leo Chong Cheong.
The motion seeks that they resign from their post.
However, an elected representative who saw red on Wednesday when the lower house kicked off proceedings was DAP’s Ramkarpal Singh. The Bukit Gelugor lawmaker was ejected from the Dewan Rakyat and missed last Thursday’s sitting. He will be back today.