Motions to debate Azam’s shares issue turned down
KUALA LUMPUR: Two motions for the Dewan Rakyat to debate the controversy surrounding top graft-buster Azam Baki’s ownership of shares have been turned down. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had the absolute power to decide on the agenda for today’s special sitting, as stated…
KUALA LUMPUR: Two motions for the Dewan Rakyat to debate the controversy surrounding top graft-buster Azam Baki’s ownership of shares have been turned down.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob had the absolute power to decide on the agenda for today’s special sitting, as stated under the Standing Orders.
Therefore, he said, he had no authority to decide on whether the matter should be debated, adding that this was also practised in the UK’s House of Commons.
“Until today, I have not received any notice from the prime minister for the motions to be accepted. Hence, I have to assume that the motions will not be included in today’s agenda.
“So we must carry out today’s proceedings according to the set agenda,” Azhar told opposition MPs.
The House is holding a special sitting today to discuss last month’s floods disaster.
He said this in response to Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Pulai) and Nga Kor Ming (PH-Teluk Intan), who had asked for their motions to debate the matter concerning the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief to be accepted.
When Salahuddin asked Ismail to respond to their calls for the matter to be debated, he declined to say anything.
Gobind Singh Deo (PH-Puchong) then rose and asked if Ismail and other ministers slated to explain the government’s actions amid the recent flood crisis would remain in the hall to take questions from MPs.
He said the opposition would prioritise debates on the floods but would also raise questions over Azam.
In response, Azhar said the ministers would respond to questions related to the core issue -the flood crisis. “If the questions are related, I’m sure the ministers will answer.”
M Kula Segaran (PH-Ipoh Barat) then rose to point out that the rules for today’s sitting did not state that the issue involving Azam could not be discussed.
“The speaker does not need to reply on behalf of the prime minister. Let the prime minister reply,” said Kula.
Azhar said he took note of Kula’s point but maintained that the agenda for today’s sitting to primarily debate the flood crisis was set by Ismail, before instructing the prime minister to proceed with his speech. — Free Malaysia Today