KUALA LUMPUR: Proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat came to a brief halt when the minimum quorum of 26 members of parliament was not met.
The point of order was raised by Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang), after Datuk Mumtaz Md Nawi (PN-Tumpat) concluded his debate on the Evidence of Child Witness (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Under Standing Order 13, there must be at least 26 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan to allow proceedings to be held.
After a headcount, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Md Nor said there were only 22 MPs in the hall and ordered the Parliament secretary to ring the bell for two minutes to call in all those who were outside the House.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) then stood up, saying some of the MPs were at the special chamber discussing matters related to matriculation, to which Ramli replied to just follow the standing order.
Proceedings resumed a short while later when several MPs entered and the quorum was met.