Rafizi’s motion rejected

THE DEWAN Rakyat speaker rejected Rafizi Ramli’s (PKR-Pandan) motion to table his private member’s bill proposing to separate the functions of the prime minister and the minister of finance.

Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia rejected the motion when it was raised as it had been sent through an email instead of a formal written letter.

Pandikar added the motion was snubbed as it is against the Ministerial Functions Act 1969, which states that only the Yang diPertuan Agong has the authority to appoint the prime minister and other ministers.

Failing to raise the matter, Rafizi said the ruling party had reinforced public perception that the “Dewan Rakyat is no more than a rubber stamp”.

“The position taken today shows the House does not have power to limit or enact anything that is against whatever that has been already decided by the Executive. This is not right,” Rafizi said when met at the Parliament lobby.

Rafizi alleged that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government would never allow systemic reforms through the Parliament and tarnish the integrity of the institution.

“As long as BN is in power, any effort to formulate laws to build better conduct by separating the prime minister and finance minister portfolios will never be allowed in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.

Rafizi added that he would be submitting the bill once again in a written format to be included in the next Parliament sitting.