PM reminds govt MPs to maintain decorum, quality of debates
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reminded the Unity Government’s Members of Parliament (MPs) to maintain decorum and ensure the quality of their debates throughout the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which commences today (Feb 26).
Anwar, in a Facebook post on Sunday, said that he stressed the matter when attending a briefing session with ministers, deputy ministers and all government MPs, ahead of the Dewan Rakyat sitting, in Putrajaya yesterday.
“I want all government Members of Parliament to ensure the quality of the debates and maintain decorum throughout the Dewan Rakyat sitting, until March 27.
“Members of Parliament were also briefed on parliamentary proceedings by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said,” he said.
He said that the sitting would provide space for all MPs to touch on various urgent current issues, particularly those involving the interests of the people.
At the opening of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament today, the focus will be on the inaugural royal address by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is Kapit Member of Parliament, when contacted, said at the briefing, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for Members of Parliament (MPs) to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting and be ethical in their debate.
“The Prime Minister reminded us on attendance, that the debate must be good and with basis. There was also a briefing by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said regarding questions and bills.
“The Prime Minister also reminded us to maintain quorum (in the Dewan Rakyat),” he said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Prime Minister reminded the MPs to continue playing the role of checks and balances throughout the Dewan Rakyat session.
“Anwar also wants us to focus on the issues of the people’s interest, as well as problems and issues in our constituencies,” he said in a statement issued after the briefing.
He said the MPs were also told to participate in the debates in Parliament by carrying out thorough preparations.
Based on the calendar on the Parliament’s official website, this Parliament sitting will last for 19 days, with the main focus on the debate on the royal address by MPs from Feb 27 to March 7, and then the winding-up by the relevant ministries for four days, starting March 11.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting will then continue with the tabling of several bills.