80 Members of Parliament allowed in the Dewan Rakyat - just not right.
We have all seen Parliamentary Session live, and we see MPs standing up and making interventions, be it questions or comments, and they are allowed to speak - so, how will the MPs not allowed into the Dewan Rakyat do this now.
It is not just about VOTING - but more importantly the ability to speak up in Parliament that is an issue in a DEMOCRATIC Parliament. As it is now, many of the MPs are denied this right.
It would be DIFFERENT if every MP is in an online Parliamentary session - then, all are being treated EQUALLY and no one is being discriminated against - BUT now we have a situation of 2 Classes of MPs - one in the Dewan, and one outside.
Who chooses? Was it by random ballot - well, that would have been better. But now, is it the party leaders that choose.
Covid-19 has already struck Parliament - and it really makes sense to have an online Parliamentary session, as the SOP for any other places, is 'self quarantine' at the very least for 14 days, and sensitization of the entire building.
MPs come from all States, and they will return there - even to Pahang, Perlis and Kelantan - being the States with very few new Covid-19 cases.
And our speaker is talking about 'Minimum Quorum', which is irrelevant - when MPs now want to be present and participating in the DEBATES ongoing. Minimum Quorum is relevant when MPs are absenting themselves...
WORSE STILL is that fundamental question as to whether Muhyiddin and his Cabinet even remains a VALID government - does he still have the 'confidence of the majority' - Absurd to evade the 'No Confidence' or "Confidence' Vote - that, in my opinion should have been the 1st item of the Agenda.
The Budget tabled by Muhyiddin's Cabinet is also questionable - it should have been a basic budget to ensure continued operation of government - NOT the increasing or introduction of NEW projects and 'questionable' expenses.
The King hopes that the BUDGET would be passed - but then looking at the proposed Budget, it looks like Muhyiddin may not have a similar objective...
CURRENT NEEDS - Response to Covid-19 > Government provided financial assistance to those who lost employment or have lost incomes > Monthly payment of RM1,000 for all who falls into this category should be there...but where is it?
Cutting Cost of Living - that means reducing cost of daily necessities ---but then, during this time they are trying to increase costs of Cigarettes, etc > You cannot ask a poor man to stop smoking just like that - and increasing cost of cigarettes at this time will just translate into increase of cost of living of the smoker and his/her families
Will we get Covid-19 vaccinations for FREE - In the Budget, they are talking about 'TAX RELIEF' - which means we have to PAY for these Covid-19 vaccinations, and thereafter we can claim as a 'tax relief'. If I go to the government health facilities, I may be paying RM50 for the vaccinations, but if I go to a private establishment, I may be paying RM500 > so 'tax relief' will also mean government losing monies, especially when people get their vaccinations from private facilities.
Now, the Parliament sitting hours have been reduced - if every MP was on an ONLINE Parliamentary session, safe from the Covid-19 threat, then the sessions could have been as usual - even going on until midnight, if needed.
Only 80 MPs allowed in Dewan Rakyat for Budget 2021 tabling tomorrow
.JPG "Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his speech during the second meeting of the third session of the 14th Parliament in Kuala Lumpur July 13, 2020. — Picture by Hari Anggara")
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 — Only 80 out of 222 MPs will be allowed into the Dewan Rakyat for the tabling of Budget 2021 tomorrow, Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon announced today.
However, he said all MPs will be allowed inside the House to take part in the divisional voting and that a bell will be rung at several intervals beforehand to alert them of this.
“During this process all MPs are allowed to be in the Dewan,” Rashid said.
He said the 80-MP cap will remain for future sittings this session, from November 9 to December 15, following the recent surges in Covid-19 cases nationwide.
“The allocation will be 41 MPs from the government and 39 from the Opposition and Independent blocs,” Rashid said before Question Time this morning.
He added that the MPs allowed inside the House will be chosen by their respective parties.
Those chosen will be issued a special card for their attendance.
Rashid said the special attendance cards will be distributed by the Dewan Rakyat secretary.
He added that Kota Baru MP Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan is in charge of the special attendance cards for the government lawmakers, while Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul is in charge of the cards for the Opposition bloc and independents.
Rashid said MPs who have not been issued a special card can record their attendance at Door 3 of the main block of the Parliament building and at the main entrance to the Parliamentarians and Administration Block.
Parliament’s sergeant-at-arms will be stationed at both entrances to record the MPs’ attendance. - Malay Mail, 5/11/2020
Decision on 80 MPs in Budget 2021 Bill debate not against Federal Constitution, says Speaker Azhar
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 9 — Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun today said that nowhere in the Federal Constitution states that all 222 MPs have to be present in Parliament during a debate session.
In a heated exchange in Parliament this morning, Azhar said the Federal Constitution does not mention that he has to listen to all 222 MPs during a debate session citing that the quorum of the meeting was only 26 MPs.
“The MP raised Article 96 and 97 of the Federal Constitution. Article 96 and 97 doesn’t say all 222 MPs have to be in Parliament at all times,” Azhar told the Dewan Rakyat.
According to Azhar, Article 96 mentions: ‘no taxation unless authorise by law’ and Article 97 concerns consolidated fund that is under the purview of the Finance Minister.
“Where is it? Don’t have. Where does it say in the Federal Constitution that at all times I have to listen to all 222 MPs in the Dewan?
“The quorum is 26. (That’s the) Standing Order and we have 80 MPs,” he justified.
Azhar said his decision was final and that the matter should not be revisited.
In his defence, Azhar said he was not trying to block MPs from debating, as all those chosen by party whips can debate at any time.
“And if you look at it, during the daily sittings, not all 222 MPs are in the Dewan.
“Those who come daily are about 100 to 120 MPs and even among the 120, not all of them stay put from 10am to 5.30pm, they walk in and out (of the Dewan).
“In fact, on some days, at 2.30pm, it’s even hard to fulfill quorum,” he said.
He also questioned why the limitation to 80 MPs ruling has suddenly become an issue among the MPs.
“Why when we reached a consensus that agreed to 80 MPs, suddenly this became a huge issue? Why?
“See, we have wasted time, arguing over this again. This has been decided based on consensus. Let us come together to repay what the Health director-general has done and sacrifice for all of us as he is combating the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let’s debate the Budget 2021 Bill,” he said.
Earlier PKR Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim claimed that the decision to allow only 80 MPs in Parliament was against Article 96 and 97 of the Federal Constitution and was depriving the MPs’ rights from debating fairly in Parliament.
He added that the decisions made between the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, National Security Council (NSC), Health Ministry, Parliament Administration and party chief whips should not supercede the Federal Constitution.
Last week, Azhar had announced some changes on the order of debate sessions that would take effect starting November 9 in light of the country’s Covid-19 situation.
Among the changes agreed during a special meeting between the NSC, Health Ministry and Parliament administrative department and party chief whips, was to allow only 80 MPs (chosen by respective party chief whips) present in Parliament during the Budget 2021 Bill debate session.
However, the decision also said that during the voting process, all 222 MPs are allowed in Parliament.
This decision has raised concerns, particularly among the Opposition
bloc that this could limit their opportunity to debate fairly on the
Budget 2021 Bill. - Malay Mail, 9/11/2020
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