PM, unity govt MPs attend briefing ahead of today's Dewan Rakyat sitting

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with the Unity government Members of Parliament, yesterday attended a briefing session at the Seri Perdana Complex ahead of the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

Also present at the threehour briefing session which started at 9.30am were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, as well as members of the Cabinet.

Works Minister Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is Kapit MP, said during the briefing, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for 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 when contacted.

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, will deliver his inaugural royal address for the opening of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament.

Based on the calendar on the Parliament's official website, this Parliament sitting will last for 19 days, with the main focus to be the debate on the royal address by MPs from Feb 27 to March 7, and the winding-up by the relevant ministries for four days starting March 11.

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.