GOVERNMENT affairs will take precedence in Parliament sittings, hence why the motion to discuss the Prime Minister’s trip to Saudi Arabia was rejected, said Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor.
He said the Order of Dewan Rakyat sittings was decided by the Speaker and the Leader of the House, namely the Prime Minister.
“Government affairs are prioritised. That is very clear, Yang Berhormat. Do refer to Standing Orders 18, 19 and 17,” said Ramli.
The Deputy Speaker was responding to Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu), who said there was a need to discuss issues of public interest in the House.
Takiyuddin said Parliament had rejected questions in relation to the trip in the Opposition’s emergency motion and in the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) yesterday.
“What other channels do we have for the people? You tell us, where else? You (Deputy Speaker) are an honoured man, a learned person. You guide us,” said Takiyuddin.
In response, Ramli referred to the practices of various Parliaments in Britain, New Zealand and Singapore.
“If we look at the scenarios at the end of the day, it is the decision of the House (to discuss motions).
“YB (Takiyuddin) was a former minister. So let’s not drag this on. There are still other matters,” said the Deputy Speaker.
Ramli then proceeded with the speeches by lawmakers on the Education Ministry’s allocation under Budget 2023.
Earlier, the issue of the Prime Minister’s trip to Saudi Arabia was raised by Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (PN-Machang), who said that his question submitted to the weekly PMQT session earlier was rejected.
“What other channels can I use in the Dewan Rakyat so that the Foreign Ministry will explain to us what happened in Saudi Arabia?” asked Wan Ahmad Fayhsal.
To this, Ramli said that dissatisfied MPs could file another motion in Parliament, to be decided by the Speaker.
Ramli also said MPs should watch their behaviour in the House.
“I understand, political rage is alive. But, be mindful, or others out there will see this House as a zoo,” added Ramli.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal had said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim should explain his three-day trip to Saudi Arabia in Parliament.
The Opposition had claimed the trip was a failure as there was no meeting with King Salman Abdulaziz Al-Saud or Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
Anwar’s political secretary Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, said that the Saudi Arabian government had requested that the premier extend his stay to facilitate meetings with the leaders of both countries.
However, according to Ahmad Farhan, Anwar had to respectfully decline the request as he was scheduled to attend a buka puasa function with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong.
