Don T Waste Time With Irrelevant Repetitive Questions Opposition Mps Told

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Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said he needs to be firm in ensuring that parliamentary sittings run smoothly and serve their intended purpose. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul has chided opposition MPs for wasting valuable time by asking questions on the same issues and posing irrelevant queries in the Dewan Rakyat.
Johari said he needs to be firm in ensuring that parliamentary sittings run smoothly and serve their intended purpose, reported Berita Harian.
“As speaker of the lower house, I have absolute authority, but I still must abide by the rules and procedures. I cannot act arbitrarily, as I need to follow the rules and the Federal Constitution.
“I will be firm if they waste the Dewan Rakyat’s time. There is no issue if they ask relevant questions or follow parliamentary rules,” he told a press conference after a dialogue session with national service programme trainees in Kuala Lumpur today.

Johari said issues that have been extensively discussed in the Dewan Rakyat should be laid to rest.
“If they keep doing this, what do they expect (to happen)? I don’t want them to play politics.
“I have said that if they want to engage in politics, they should do so outside the Dewan Rakyat – do it on YouTube or any other available platform.
“Don’t use the Dewan Rakyat as a stage for political games. Parliamentary time should be dedicated to matters concerning the nation and the people,” he said.
Yesterday, opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin told a press conference the opposition would organise a nationwide tour to amplify the people’s voice and for its MPs to express their views if they are unable to do so in the Dewan Rakyat.
Hamzah lamented that opposition MPs were no longer free to voice their opinions and were instead treated like “schoolchildren” subjected to various restrictions.
This makes it difficult for the opposition to advocate for the people, he said.
Johari said he and his two deputies are responsible for ensuring the parliamentary agenda is carried out as planned.
“If we entertain politically charged questions, we risk concluding sittings at midnight or even 1am and this is unacceptable,” he said.
Johari said he had set a rule for daily sittings to conclude by 8.30pm, adding that dragging on later than that would not be productive.
“I want the sittings to end by 8.30pm, so don’t ask irrelevant questions. If you do, don’t be upset with me when I take action,” he said. - FMT

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