KUALA LUMPUR: The new date for the first Dewan Rakyat sitting under the new federal administration is to ensure the upcoming parliamentary meeting complies with the standing orders of the lower house.
Ketereh member of Parliament Tan Sri Annuar Musa said it was impossible for the parliamentary sitting set for March 9 to take place in short notice since there were orders of the House which needed to be complied following the change in the Federal Government.
Sharing his views based on his experience of more than 20 years as a federal lawmaker, Annuar, who is also the Umno secretary-general, said the business of the house included a notice for the respective political parties to nominate a candidate as Dewan Rakyat speaker.
The new date, he said, would also give ample time for MPs, who are now representing the opposition faction, to submit their questions to the respective ministers.
“Firstly, the notice involving the Dewan Rakyat sitting scheduled on March 9 was issued when the Pakatan Harapan (PH) was the ruling coalition.
“Secondly, in every parliamentary sitting, there will be businesses and orders that will take place including appointment of a new (Dewan Rakyat) speaker. And there are certain processes which require a little more time.
“Thirdly, when I was an opposition MP, I would submit my questions to the Parliament for certain ministers and ministries to answer. Following a change in the government, I believe the new administration wants to be fair in providing opportunities for all MPs including those who are no longer sitting in the ‘front-bench’ (ministers and deputy ministers) to submit their questions.
“And since ministers and deputy ministers are yet to be appointed under the new administration, to who will the Parliament submit the questions (if we insist on convening the sitting on March 9),” he told reporters here today.
It was reported that Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said the first sitting of the third session of the 14th parliament will start on May 18.
Ariff, in a statement today, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had officially informed him in a letter on the matter.
Annuar said the new date of the Dewan Rakyat sitting did not exceed the six months period from the last parliamentary sitting which concluded on Dec 5 last year.
He also dismissed the notion that the Dewan Rakyat sitting was postponed to a new date following the announcement by PH federal lawmakers to move a vote of no confidence against Muhyiddin.
“That is not true. We are confident with him (that Muhyiddin commands majority support among members of parliament).
“This is my personal view. I think it is best for elected representatives from both side of the political divide to focus on the people’s agenda rather than matters that only serve the interest of certain political leaders or parties.
“The people expect us to work for them rather than engaging in too much politicking,” he said.