KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition MPs walked out of Parliament in protest against the government's move to pass the controversial Government Procurement Bill 2025 without submitting it to any Special Select Committee for review.
Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) cited Standing Order 80 (5), stating that it was the duty of the committees to scrutinise Bills related to the relevant ministries that have been read for the first time.
"However, the Bill was not referred to any committees.
"I hope the Speaker can give some explanation following the new changes to our Standing Order," said Kiandee in parliament on Thursday (Aug 28).
To this, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul clarified that he had said during the initial discussion that any committee, through its chairman, must write to the ministry if it wants a specific Bill to be referred to its committee.
"In this case, after the first reading, there was no such request for the Bill to be referred to any committees.
"So, in this case, I assume that there was no such request," he said.
Opposition chief Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) said the Speaker himself did the new ruling requiring Bills to go through parliamentary select committees.
"We are just listening to your aspirations. We want to follow your rulings.
"If we can listen, why can't the other side?" asked Hamzah.
He said that the matter was raised repeatedly by the opposition, and it was unfair to ask for such a request in writing.
"If this is the way, we can just let it be approved, but we will stage a walkout to show our disagreement," he said.
Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) then stood up, said, "We need to put the record straight."
"Of course, we want the Bills to be referred to the respective select committee, but under Standing Order 80 (b), it does not give an obligation for the ministry or minister to refer to the respective select committee," he said.
He said not all Bills need to be referred as the parliament needs to be pragmatic.
