Several government members of parliament (MPs) have called out their opposition counterparts for being absent during the on-going 2021 Auditor-General’s (A-G) Report debate in Dewan Rakyat.
This came after the opposition MPs objected to the motion for the report to be tabled and debated in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today.
The no-show by the opposition drew criticism from several MPs, who described the situation as disappointing.
Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) said it was an embarrassment, given that there were guests at the Dewan Rakyat today.
“I hope they (the guests) can see that there are no opposition (members). They have not come since we started the afternoon session.
“I do not know what to say but this is disappointing. I hope all Malaysians can see their attitude.”
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) suggested that the allowances of the absent MPs be suspended.
“Their allowance is rakyat’s money. They are not present in Dewan Rakyat but sit outside at the lobby, chatting and drinking coffee. It is embarrassing,” he said.
Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) agreed with Rayer that the opposition MPs should not be paid their allowances.
“I do not know if they are maybe afraid (of this debate) but it is irresponsible of them as they are entrusted with duties by the people,” she said.
Earlier, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said tabled the motion to debate the report after the lunch break.
Azalina said the government viewed the issues raised in the A-G’s Report seriously.
“The Prime Minister himself had instructed the ministers involved to look into these issues. All issues involved leakages, non-compliance to regulations, not following conditions and the flaw in planning must be researched and be a lesson learnt so that it would not recur in the future implementation of activities, programmes or projects.
“The report had also raised the issues of serious disorganisation in accounts or care of public money as well as management of government activities and government companies that needed effective action from ministries, departments and agencies that are audited.
“In the A-G carrying out its mandate, this honourable house calls on all parties to unite and support the government so that the audit findings and recommendations in the report will be taken seriously by those involved so that the weaknesses found can be tackled and overcome and deter leakages of public funds from happening again,” she read.
About 11 MPs are slated to take part in the debate and are given 10 minutes each. – NST
Earlier report:
Jun 6, Chaos in Parliament as PN MPs oppose debate on 2021 national audit report