PM, unity govt MPs attend briefing ahead of Dewan Rakyat sitting

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, together with the unity government MPs, attended a briefing session on Sunday (Feb 25) at the Seri Perdana Complex here ahead of the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday (Feb 26).

Also present at the three-hour briefing session which started at 9.30am were Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, as well as members of the Cabinet.

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Public Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi, who is Kapit MP, when contacted, said at the briefing, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for MPs to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting and be ethical in their debates.

"The Prime Minister reminded us on attendance, that the debate must be good and with basis. There was also a briefing by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Legal and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said regarding questions and Bills.

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"The Prime Minister also reminded us to maintain quorum (in the Dewan Rakyat)," he said.

The inaugural royal address by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, in Parliament for the opening of the First Meeting of the Third Session of the 15th Parliament will take place on Monday.

Based on the calendar on Parliament's official website, this Parliament sitting will last for 19 days, with the main focus to be the debate on the Royal address by MPs from Feb 27 to March 27 and then the winding-up by the relevant ministries for four days starting March 11.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Prime Minister reminded the MPs to continue playing the role of checks and balances throughout the Dewan Rakyat session.

"Anwar also wants us to focus on the issues of the people's interest, as well as problems and issues in our constituencies,” he said in a statement issued after the briefing.

He said the MPs were also told to participate in the debates in Parliament by carrying out thorough preparations. - Bernama