Art Harun turns down Opposition MPs' attempts to debate Azam Baki shares issue in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Attempts by Opposition MPs to debate the shares controversy surrounding Tan Sri Azam Baki in the Dewan Rakyat have been turned down.

The matter was raised by Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Pulai) and Nga Kor Ming (PH-Teluk Intan) who had submitted notices for the matter to be debated during the one-day special sitting on Thursday (Jan 20).

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun acknowledged the notices submitted by the two MPs but clarified that he had no power to set the agenda of proceedings for the day.

He noted that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob had called for the special sitting in his capacity as the Head of the House to discuss the recent floods that affected Selangor and several states.

"I have no power to decide on what is to be debated as it is the absolute discretion of the Head of the House to decide this. This is the same practice which is adopted by the House of Commons in the UK," he said.

He also said that to date, he has yet to receive any notice from Ismail Sabri to alter the agenda of the day, which was to debate the recent floods.

Earlier, Salahuddin said that debates should be allowed as it involves Azam as the chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC).

Nga said that Parliament serves as a check and balance and should be allowed to debate the issue which is a serious one affecting the nation.