The Dewan Rakyat sitting last evening had to be adjourned early because there was no quorum. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Democracy advocate Thomas Fann has suggested that MPs be scheduled to attend Dewan Rakyat sittings following yesterday’s early adjournment due to an absence of a quorum.
He said the Dewan Rakyat’s failure to convene because there was no quorum is a blemish on the country’s parliamentary democracy and undermines public confidence in this system of government.
Thomas Fann
Fann, who heads the reform NGO Projek Sama, also said Malaysians may feel their voices are not being represented in Parliament due to their MPs’ absenteeism, which could lead to a decline in voter turnout in future elections.
“The rakyat expects their representative to be present in the Dewan Rakyat when it is in session (and) all parties and coalitions should take steps to ensure that their MPs are present during Parliament sittings,” he told FMT.
“I propose that they roster their MPs to attend sittings based on their area of expertise or interest, depending on what is on the agenda.
“Parties should form committees that shadow government ministries, and MPs in these committees must be present when issues related to ministries they are shadowing are being presented.”
He said the primary role of Parliament is to serve as a check and balance to the executive and to ensure that the prime minister and his Cabinet do not push through policies and legislations that are flawed or detrimental to the rakyat.
The former Bersih chairman also stressed that the goal during Dewan Rakyat sittings is not just to meet the quorum of 26 MPs, but to be effective as scrutineers of policies and legislations that are debated and passed in Parliament.
“But, if less than one-eighth or 12% of MPs are present, it is a feeble reflection of this important role,” he said.
Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) interrupted yesterday evening’s sitting to cite Standing Order 13(1), which states that a quorum of at least 26 MPs, excluding the speaker, is necessary for the Dewan Rakyat to convene.
After a headcount, Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar), who was standing in to chair the proceedings, said there were only 19 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat and ordered the proceedings to be adjourned to 10am today.
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