Where have all the MPs gone? Parliament struggles to make quorum

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat got off to a bumpy start on Wednesday (Nov 20) because there were insufficient lawmakers to get the day going.

The Dewan proceedings, which had just begun, was interrupted by Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad (BN-Lipis), who alerted the Speaker of Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, of the lack of quorum in the House.

Mohamad Ariff did a brief headcount and agreed that there were only 24 lawmakers in the House as of 10am before the start of the Question and Answer session.

He then ordered the bell to be rung for two minutes to alert MPs outside the Dewan to enter the august House.

Soon after, several MPs were seen entering the House, including the newly sworn-in Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng (BN-Tanjung Piai).

Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) quipped that lawmakers should thank Wee for "saving" the House to complete the quorum.

On Oct 17, the Dewan Rakyat's proceeding was temporarily halted due to lack of quorum.

Under Standing Order 13, there must be at least 26 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan for proceedings to be held.