‘Until we meet next time’

MPs take opportunity to bid adieu before Parliament comes to an end

KUALA LUMPUR: While the debates on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address are underway in the Dewan Rakyat, many MPs are taking the opportunity to bid adieu before Parliament is dissolved for the 14th general election.

No one really knows whether they can retain their seats in GE14, but the MPs are staying positive.

Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid (BN-Kuala Kangsar) ended her debate speech with a passionate ‘thank you’ statement to everyone in Parliament House – the Speaker and his deputies, the MPs, backbenchers and Parliament staff.

Mastura became an MP in June 2016 following a by-election that was called after the death of her husband and MP Datuk Wan Khairil Wan Ahmad in a helicopter crash.

Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (Amanah-Parit Buntar) said: “It may be my last time here, I don’t know.”

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia could not resist teasing him over what he had said.

“You sounded confident in your debate, why do you sound less confident now?” he asked Dr Mujahid.

He was probably referring to the MP who will contest in the elections on the Amanah ticket for the first time after leaving PAS.

The coming elections will be first public test for Amanah, a splinter party of PAS, which was formed in September 2015.

On Monday, Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud (Amanah-Kota Raja) also began her debate speech by saying that she might not return to the Dewan Rakyat.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee observed that many MPs who had previously been sober and gentle in their con- duct in the House are now projecting more strength and ferocity in their speeches.

“Everyone is in the election mood now and you cannot blame them because in just another few months, Parliament will be dissolved automatically when the five-year mandate of the Government expires.

“There are definitely changes in the way the MPs present their debates. While some would give advice to other MPs or gave their appreciation for the help they received while in Parliament, others have been more spirited than usual,” said Dr Kiandee.

For example, Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong), who is known for being demure and gentle, surprised MPs by her unusually fiery debate speech last Wednesday.

She gave a passionate speech on the Government’s achievements and she boldly told off the Opposition MPs who had frequently interrupted or heckled her.

Yesterday, Datuk Jumat Idris (BN-Sepanggar) apologised to his boss Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman if he was unable to deliver his duties successfully.

He also apologised to the Opposition MPs if he had used rough words on them.

Datuk Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid (BN-Kota Tinggi) said the MPs should not think that their duties are seasonal.

“Our work began the moment we were elected in 2013,” he said of the last elections which were called in that year.

“We serve the rakyat always and we shouldn’t think about serving the people for another few months,” he said of the impending dissolution of Parliament.

Polls must be called within 60 days after Parliament is dissolved.