Shame On Absent Ministers Deputies Deserve Pay Rise Says Rayer

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RSN Rayer says the salaries of ministers who do not attend the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara should be slashed. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition MP has called for the salaries of deputy ministers to be increased as, unlike some ministers, they were present in the Dewan Rakyat to answer questions.
During the question-and-answer session in the lower house today, RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) told off the ministers who were absent despite the fact that the Johor state elections and the Umno general assembly had ended.
“I thank the deputy ministers for being present in the Dewan to answer our questions. (This is) good. Your salaries should be increased.
“Where are the ministers? Yesterday, the president of the Dewan Negara reprimanded the ministers for being absent.
“I would like to suggest that the salaries for deputy ministers be increased while the salaries for absent ministers are slashed. This (ministers’ absence) is embarrassing,” said the DAP MP.
Bernama reported that Dewan Negara president Rais Yatim was upset over the absence of the minister and the deputy minister of international trade and industry at yesterday’s question-and-answer session.
He said this was not in accordance with the Senate’s Standing Order.
Rais said it was important for all quarters to know the answers the ministers had for the questions raised.
“A minister who is unable to answer in this august House should instruct his/her deputy to answer the question. If the deputy (minister) is unable to answer, he/she may delegate it to any minister to answer on behalf of the administration,” he said.
“If this cannot be done, a written answer should be given by the minister.” - FMT

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