May 1, 2008
SPEAKER Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia almost made history yesterday. However, judging from the response from the Opposition block, it is probably not something he can be proud of.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had just given a lengthy answer to a question from Razali Ibrahim (BN – Muar) when several Opposition MPs sprang up in their seats to ask supplementary questions.
Pandikar Amin, who had spent a better part of the morning trying to control the House, said he would not be allowing any supplementary question at this time as too much time had been wasted and proceeded to call for the next original question.
Previously, it has been the practice of the Chair to allow two or three supplementary queries after each original question slotted in the Order Paper.
Pandikar Amin defended his decision by pointing out there would be other opportunities to field questions to Abdullah as “today would not be the only day we are sitting.”
“It’s not my intention to disallow supplementary questions but this is my decision,” he said, citing that under the Standing Order he had to ensure the sitting proceeded smoothly.
As the Opposition continued to protest, Lim Kit Siang (DAP – Ipoh Timur) demanded that Pandikar cite him the exact Standing Order that allowed him to do away with supplementary questions.
To this, Pandikar Amin said it was a “matter of convention”.
It was only after Abdullah intervened, requesting to field “one or two supplementary questions” that Pandikar Amin relented.
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2 comments:
Looks like Pak Lah makes a better Parliament Speaker than Pendikar Amin!
We'll wait for the day when PR MP's exceed BN MP's. PR can then remove the speaker and all his deputies on a simple majority!
Never mind if it's for a day or less but this will get the message across!
MAKE MY DAY!
What Pandikar Amin did was show a respect to leader so to opposition. I don't think Pandikar is bias...he even not allowed Kinabatangan MP to have point of order when he had been attacked by Karpal Singh with very offensive remarks...Big Foot. Please Pakatan MP do not call orang sabah Big Foot!Yeah it is true, sabah has many orang utans but dont think orang sabah is orang utans! My mistake vote for opposition last time...really my silly mistake!
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