KUALA LUMPUR: The opposition has staged a walkout after its request for Tuesday’s (Aug 11) special Dewan Rakyat sitting to debate the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) report on Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) to be postponed over the absence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was rejected.
The Prime Minister is unable to attend the special sitting as he continues to recover under medical supervision.
Citing Standing Order 11(3), opposition chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) said the RCI report was a matter of public interest and required the Prime Minister’s attendance.
"Given that the TH issue is highly significant and of considerable public interest, it would be appropriate for the presentation and debate on this report to be attended and presented personally by the Prime Minister once he returns to duty.
“The status of the RCI report on TH today is merely a ministerial briefing; it is not even a presentation of the RCI that is to be debated and voted upon.
“I have received confirmation from the government that there will be no vote today. Therefore, there is no great urgency to expedite this matter.
“If we debate without the Prime Minister, it is as good as holding a press conference,” he said.
However, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the special sitting could proceed as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other Cabinet members are present in the House.
"We have the Deputy Prime Minister here. Are we going to downgrade the position of the DPM? No.
“The Deputy Prime Minister represents the Cabinet and so do the other ministers,” he explained.
He said the House’s proceedings are recorded and can be further scrutinised by the relevant Parliamentary Select Committees
Citing Standing Orders 11(3), he said the House will proceed with its order of business.
Takiyuddin then said the opposition will not be following the debates.
Johari then ruled that those who intend not to follow the debates can leave the chambers.
