MPs to raise queries on food prices - The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: May 5, 2008 By LEE YUK PENG

The rising food prices and cost of living will take centrestage at Parliament today.

The questions include those on whether the Government will scrap the monopoly in the import of rice and sugar, how to prevent the increase in the prices of essential goods and Bernas’ policies on the supply of rice.

Barring interruptions during the first 30 minutes of the live telecast of Question Time, viewers are likely to hear questions fielded by Saifudin Nasution Ismail (PKR – Machang), Khairy Jamaluddin (BN – Rembau) and Teresa Kok (DAP – Seputeh).

These MPs' questions were listed as the first three in the Order Paper for today.

Saifudin wants the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry to state when the Government will formulate a law on the generation and supply of energy.

Khairy will be asking Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad on price increase of goods while Kok's question will be directed at the International Trade and Industry Minister.

The DAP Member of Parliament wants to know whether the ministry will cooperate with the five Pakatan Rakyat states to attract foreign investments and also provide incentives to foreign investors to the states.

The next 60 minutes of Question Time, which will not be telecast live, will, among others, see questions ranging from the integration of Malaysia to abandoned housing projects and national agricultural blueprints.

Listed as No. 40 is Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail’s question to the Agriculture and Agrobased Industry Ministry on measures taken to guarantee food security in the country.

Wee Choo Keong’s (PKR – Wangsa Maju) question to the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry is on the steps taken or to be taken by the Government to prevent the increase in the prices of essential goods such as petrol, rice and cooking oil.

Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi’s (BN – Batu Pahat) question will be whether the Government will stop the monopoly held by one or two companies for the import of essential goods such as rice and sugar.

Both Karpal Singh (DAP – Bukit Gelugor) and Lim Guan Eng (DAP – Bagan) want to know whether the Federal Constitution will be amended to introduce anti-party hopping laws to prevent elected representatives from joining other political parties.