KUALA LUMPUR (April 28, 2008):
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nazri Aziz, who is in charge of parliamentary affairs, today conceded that now's a good time for the government to consider former Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang's call for parliamentary reform.
“The prime minister has already announced measures on judiciary reform, more independent Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and the likes. So, this is a good time for a reform in parliament. But, this is something to ask the PM, not me,” he said.
Since 2004, the DAP had been calling for parliamentary reform and modernisation for Malaysia to have a “First World Parliament” not only in infrastructure, but mindset, culture, practices and performance.
Among others, Lim had proposed live telecast of parliamentary proceedings, daily two-hour question time and Prime Minister’s Question Time twice a week.
With the number of opposition MPs up from 20 in the last parliament to 82 now, this is the closest the country has ever got to a two-party system.
A step in the right direction would be the decision to have live-telecast of the first half hour of question time starting Wednesday (April 30).
Nazri said MPs from Barisan Nasional (BN) must be more prepared to face their Pakatan Rakyat (PR) counterparts because they will be "asking questions in detail, not like before". "I believe there will be more check and balance now,” he said to reporters after the swearing-in of parliamentarians today.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said MPs from both sides have been given the mandate to represent the people in the Parliament.
“As far as I am concerned, we are all representing the rakyat. And BN has got the mandate to govern and respond to questions, including those posed by the opposition,” he said when asked to comment on the opposition’s bigger representation in the Dewan.
“They have their responsibility as an opposition and ours is to govern. So, both sides have got a role to play. The opposition, with the bigger number of seats that they have, they may want to speak or criticise more but it is our (BN MPs) duties to respond accordingly,” he added.
Earlier, after the swearing in of 222 MPs and two newly-elected deputy speakers, Syed Hamid proposed a motion for parliament to ask the Inspector-General of Police to ensure roads leading to the parliament building are not closed or obstructed during the parliament session.
“We want to avoid any disturbances or chaos on the roads or at the parliament building as this will disrupt traffic flow of MPs coming to the parliament,” he said.
His motion was supported by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok.
The result of the 12th General Election saw BN winning by a simple majority of 140 parliamentary seats while Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) took 31, DAP 28 and PAS 23.
Opposition leader Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) said she expects debates to be more upbeat, adding that priority would be given to issues like the economy, corruption and the judiciary reforms.
Asked if a motion of no-confidence against the Prime Minister can be expected, she said: "At the moment, no."
PKR Information Chief Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) said: "We are waiting for the debates to come. Even in the first round, we have seen some competition, so I think we can expect more debates. I am expecting the parliament to have a more refreshed atmosphere and I’m looking forward to having good discussions."
Monday, April 28, 2008
PKR wants more oral questions - The Sun
KUALA LUMPUR (April 28, 2008):
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) wants the Dewan Rakyat to allot six questions to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs in the allocation of 10 daily oral questions.
PKR vice-president and Chief Whip Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) told a press conference today with PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) that the house's administration failed to realise that the PR members outnumbered the Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers.
"There are 82 PR members and only 77 BN. The house can only accommodate 10 oral questions daily and based on the ratio between PR and BN, it would be wise for the Speaker to allocate six questions for PR members and four to BN for every oral question to be answered by a minister,” he said.
"PKR is disappointed with Parliament's administration for not recognising and respecting the position of the Opposition Leader (Wan Azizah). "The first written question tabled for April 30, was not given to Wan Azizah as it is normally the case in other democratic countries like Britain,” he said.
Mohamed Azmin produced his copy of the Parliament’s Standing Orders which showed that Wan Azizah’s question was slotted for third in proceedings.
He said he raised these concerns in an official letter to the Parliament Secretary and added that he would be meeting with Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to address his concerns.
“It is further disappointing to note that the Opposition Leader was not given an official invitation to the swearing-in ceremony today (yesterday). She was only given a letter, and her spouse was not invited to the ceremony.
“All the MPs were given an invitation card with the official Parliament emblem bearing the MP’s name and his or her spouse. Wan Azizah was only given a letter but there was no invitation for her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Other PKR MPs present in the press conference include Wan Azizah’s daughter Nurul Izzah (Pantai Dalam), Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), N.Gobalakrishnan (Padang Serai) and Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan).
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) wants the Dewan Rakyat to allot six questions to Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs in the allocation of 10 daily oral questions.
PKR vice-president and Chief Whip Mohamed Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) told a press conference today with PKR president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR-Permatang Pauh) that the house's administration failed to realise that the PR members outnumbered the Barisan Nasional (BN) backbenchers.
"There are 82 PR members and only 77 BN. The house can only accommodate 10 oral questions daily and based on the ratio between PR and BN, it would be wise for the Speaker to allocate six questions for PR members and four to BN for every oral question to be answered by a minister,” he said.
"PKR is disappointed with Parliament's administration for not recognising and respecting the position of the Opposition Leader (Wan Azizah). "The first written question tabled for April 30, was not given to Wan Azizah as it is normally the case in other democratic countries like Britain,” he said.
Mohamed Azmin produced his copy of the Parliament’s Standing Orders which showed that Wan Azizah’s question was slotted for third in proceedings.
He said he raised these concerns in an official letter to the Parliament Secretary and added that he would be meeting with Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to address his concerns.
“It is further disappointing to note that the Opposition Leader was not given an official invitation to the swearing-in ceremony today (yesterday). She was only given a letter, and her spouse was not invited to the ceremony.
“All the MPs were given an invitation card with the official Parliament emblem bearing the MP’s name and his or her spouse. Wan Azizah was only given a letter but there was no invitation for her husband, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Other PKR MPs present in the press conference include Wan Azizah’s daughter Nurul Izzah (Pantai Dalam), Wee Choo Keong (Wangsa Maju), N.Gobalakrishnan (Padang Serai) and Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan).
Ahli 'ajar' pemimpin Umno dalam p'raya - Malaysiakini
Apr 28, 08 4:17pm
Mantan perdana menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad berkata ramai pemimpin Umno menemuinya selepas pilihanraya umum lalu dan mengatakan presiden Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi patut berundur.
"Tetapi apabila tibanya mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi, tiada siapa pun yang berani membangkitkan isu ini kerana takut dituduh tidak menghormati presiden dan parti.
"Jadi presiden tidak akan mendapat maklumat yang sebenarnya, tetapi hanya yang sedap didengar telinganya (presiden)," tulisnya dalam kolum - 'Che D.E.T Menulis - keluaran terbaru tabloid politik - Era Baru.
Sehubungan itu Dr Mahathir mengulangi cadangannya supaya ditubuhkan majis penasihat presiden.
Sebelum ini, setiausaha agung Umno Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor dilaporkan menolak cadangan tersebut dengan alasan Umno sudah ada biro politik dan jawatankuasa pengurusan parti yang masing-masing dipengerusikan oleh Abdullah dan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Tengku Adnan juga dilaporkan berkata beliau juga tidak faham dengan cadangan tersebut.
Mengulas perkara tersebut, Dr Marathir berkata, jika tidak faham kenapa tergesa-gesa menolaknya.
‘Kerana takut'
"Apakah ahli biasa Umno tidak layak lagi untuk memberi apa-apa pandangan?
"Adakah yang layak dan pandai hanya presiden, timbalan presiden, naib presiden, setiausaha agung dan ahli majlis tertinggi sahaja?" soal Dr Mahathir.
Katanya, inilah masalah Umno dan kepimpinan parti yang ada sekarang di mana pemimpin dan ahli tidak lagi boleh menyuarakan apa-apa pendapat melainkan sokongan terhadap presiden parti.
"Sesiapa yang menyuarakan pendapat yang berlainan, atau membantah apa-apa keputusan, maka dia akan diherdik dan dicerca seluruh barisan kepimpinan Umno di dalam media massa, dihadap ke jawatankuasa disiplin," katanya.
Kerana takut, tambahnya, tidak ada mana-mana ahli pun yang bersuara.
"Tidak ada ahli yang menegur walaupun mereka sedar kepimpinan parti sudah jauh menyimpang dari perjuangan asal Umno.
"Ahli yang tidak puashati berdiam diri dan protes secara senyap.
‘Ajar pemimpin'
"Pada pilihanraya baru-baru ini, ahli Umno yang tidak puashati, tidak bersuara. Sebaliknya apabila mengundi, mereka undi parti lawan kerana protes dan hendak 'ajar' kepimpinan parti," kata Dr Mahathir.
Katanya mereka berbuat demikian kerana hendak tunjuk yang mereka sudah benci dengan kepimpinan Umno.
Akibatnya, kata beliau, Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) jatuh di empat negeri, tidak berupaya menawan Kelantan dan 'rebah' di Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
"Walaupun menang di Perlis dan Terengganu, kepimpinan Umno, khususnya presiden parti ditolak Raja-Raja Melayu di kedua-dua negeri ini apabila istana dengan cara terbuka menolak calon menteri besar cadangan perdana menteri.
"Di Johor, usaha usaha (untuk) tukar menteri besar ditolak istana awal-awal lagi sebelum pun diadakan pilihanraya.
"Umno, khususnya presiden Umno ditolak oleh oleh ahli Umno, rakyat biasa serta Raja-Raja Melayu," tambahnya.
Mengenai majlis penasihat itu, Dr Mahathir berkata, ia perlu kerana ahli parti tidak boleh percaya kepada satu individu sahaja, dengan memberi kuasa yang begitu besar kepada individu tersebut.
‘Semak dan imbang'
Pada dasarnya, jelas beliau, ia bertujuan bertindak sebagai badan yang diberi kuasa bermusyawarah dan meluluskan keputusan yang diambil presiden.
"Ini bagi mengelak salahguna kuasa oleh individu yang berkepentingan. Walaupun kita sudah ada majlis tertinggi dan pelbagai biro, tetapi anggotanya terdiri daripada orang yang dilantik di kalangan yang berjawatan dalam parti.
"Sudah tentu mereka tidak berani menegur. Oleh itu, majlis pensihat ini mungkin boleh dianggotai golongan profesional dan ahli Umno yang berwibawa tetapi bukan dari kalangan mereka yang dilantik oleh bahagian supaya ia dapat berfungsi secara bebas," tambahnya.
Dr Mahathir berkata,mungkin juga pindaan perlembagaan Umno diperlukan untuk mengikat keputusan presiden parti kepada majlis penasihat agar terdapat ‘semak dan imbang' dalam urusan pentadbiran.
Dengan itu, katanya, presiden tidak boleh melakukan pelbagai perkara dengan sewenang-wenangnya.
Mantan perdana menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad berkata ramai pemimpin Umno menemuinya selepas pilihanraya umum lalu dan mengatakan presiden Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi patut berundur.
"Tetapi apabila tibanya mesyuarat Majlis Tertinggi, tiada siapa pun yang berani membangkitkan isu ini kerana takut dituduh tidak menghormati presiden dan parti.
"Jadi presiden tidak akan mendapat maklumat yang sebenarnya, tetapi hanya yang sedap didengar telinganya (presiden)," tulisnya dalam kolum - 'Che D.E.T Menulis - keluaran terbaru tabloid politik - Era Baru.
Sehubungan itu Dr Mahathir mengulangi cadangannya supaya ditubuhkan majis penasihat presiden.
Sebelum ini, setiausaha agung Umno Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor dilaporkan menolak cadangan tersebut dengan alasan Umno sudah ada biro politik dan jawatankuasa pengurusan parti yang masing-masing dipengerusikan oleh Abdullah dan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Tengku Adnan juga dilaporkan berkata beliau juga tidak faham dengan cadangan tersebut.
Mengulas perkara tersebut, Dr Marathir berkata, jika tidak faham kenapa tergesa-gesa menolaknya.
‘Kerana takut'
"Apakah ahli biasa Umno tidak layak lagi untuk memberi apa-apa pandangan?
"Adakah yang layak dan pandai hanya presiden, timbalan presiden, naib presiden, setiausaha agung dan ahli majlis tertinggi sahaja?" soal Dr Mahathir.
Katanya, inilah masalah Umno dan kepimpinan parti yang ada sekarang di mana pemimpin dan ahli tidak lagi boleh menyuarakan apa-apa pendapat melainkan sokongan terhadap presiden parti.
"Sesiapa yang menyuarakan pendapat yang berlainan, atau membantah apa-apa keputusan, maka dia akan diherdik dan dicerca seluruh barisan kepimpinan Umno di dalam media massa, dihadap ke jawatankuasa disiplin," katanya.
Kerana takut, tambahnya, tidak ada mana-mana ahli pun yang bersuara.
"Tidak ada ahli yang menegur walaupun mereka sedar kepimpinan parti sudah jauh menyimpang dari perjuangan asal Umno.
"Ahli yang tidak puashati berdiam diri dan protes secara senyap.
‘Ajar pemimpin'
"Pada pilihanraya baru-baru ini, ahli Umno yang tidak puashati, tidak bersuara. Sebaliknya apabila mengundi, mereka undi parti lawan kerana protes dan hendak 'ajar' kepimpinan parti," kata Dr Mahathir.
Katanya mereka berbuat demikian kerana hendak tunjuk yang mereka sudah benci dengan kepimpinan Umno.
Akibatnya, kata beliau, Umno dan Barisan Nasional (BN) jatuh di empat negeri, tidak berupaya menawan Kelantan dan 'rebah' di Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
"Walaupun menang di Perlis dan Terengganu, kepimpinan Umno, khususnya presiden parti ditolak Raja-Raja Melayu di kedua-dua negeri ini apabila istana dengan cara terbuka menolak calon menteri besar cadangan perdana menteri.
"Di Johor, usaha usaha (untuk) tukar menteri besar ditolak istana awal-awal lagi sebelum pun diadakan pilihanraya.
"Umno, khususnya presiden Umno ditolak oleh oleh ahli Umno, rakyat biasa serta Raja-Raja Melayu," tambahnya.
Mengenai majlis penasihat itu, Dr Mahathir berkata, ia perlu kerana ahli parti tidak boleh percaya kepada satu individu sahaja, dengan memberi kuasa yang begitu besar kepada individu tersebut.
‘Semak dan imbang'
Pada dasarnya, jelas beliau, ia bertujuan bertindak sebagai badan yang diberi kuasa bermusyawarah dan meluluskan keputusan yang diambil presiden.
"Ini bagi mengelak salahguna kuasa oleh individu yang berkepentingan. Walaupun kita sudah ada majlis tertinggi dan pelbagai biro, tetapi anggotanya terdiri daripada orang yang dilantik di kalangan yang berjawatan dalam parti.
"Sudah tentu mereka tidak berani menegur. Oleh itu, majlis pensihat ini mungkin boleh dianggotai golongan profesional dan ahli Umno yang berwibawa tetapi bukan dari kalangan mereka yang dilantik oleh bahagian supaya ia dapat berfungsi secara bebas," tambahnya.
Dr Mahathir berkata,mungkin juga pindaan perlembagaan Umno diperlukan untuk mengikat keputusan presiden parti kepada majlis penasihat agar terdapat ‘semak dan imbang' dalam urusan pentadbiran.
Dengan itu, katanya, presiden tidak boleh melakukan pelbagai perkara dengan sewenang-wenangnya.
Who did not vote for Tan Seng Giaw? - NST
KUALA LUMPUR, MON: April 28, 2008 - Bernama
The election for the two posts of deputy speaker proceeded smoothly, but many were puzzled why DAP national deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw only managed to get 81 votes when there were 82 Opposition representatives in the Dewan Rakyat today.
After the sitting was adjourned, media representatives especially, were trying to find out who among the Opposition MPs did not cast his/her vote for Dr Tan, a dermotologist by profession.
There were three candidates vying for the deputy speaker posts. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi nominated Datuk Wan Juniadi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong) and Datuk Ronald Kiandee (Beluran) while DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang only named Dr Tan.
Wan Junaidi received 157 votes, Ronald (140) and Dr Tan (81) after all MPs cast their votes through ballot paper.
When met later, Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said all Opposition MPs voted for Dr Tan, except one.
She said that since the Opposition had only submitted one name for the two posts, it was only natural that they had to vote one of the BN MPs as the deputy speaker.
“All of us cast the votes, except one, for Dr Tan Seng Giaw. There are two names for deputy speaker, all of us voted for Dr Tan,” she said.
“We only nominated one, not two. So it is only natural they have to vote one of them. It’s doesn’t matter, actually,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (Bagan).
The election for the two posts of deputy speaker proceeded smoothly, but many were puzzled why DAP national deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw only managed to get 81 votes when there were 82 Opposition representatives in the Dewan Rakyat today.
After the sitting was adjourned, media representatives especially, were trying to find out who among the Opposition MPs did not cast his/her vote for Dr Tan, a dermotologist by profession.
There were three candidates vying for the deputy speaker posts. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi nominated Datuk Wan Juniadi Tuanku Jaafar (Santubong) and Datuk Ronald Kiandee (Beluran) while DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang only named Dr Tan.
Wan Junaidi received 157 votes, Ronald (140) and Dr Tan (81) after all MPs cast their votes through ballot paper.
When met later, Parti Keadilan Rakyat president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said all Opposition MPs voted for Dr Tan, except one.
She said that since the Opposition had only submitted one name for the two posts, it was only natural that they had to vote one of the BN MPs as the deputy speaker.
“All of us cast the votes, except one, for Dr Tan Seng Giaw. There are two names for deputy speaker, all of us voted for Dr Tan,” she said.
“We only nominated one, not two. So it is only natural they have to vote one of them. It’s doesn’t matter, actually,” said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (Bagan).
MPs, your presence matters - The Star
April 28, 2008 By SHAILA KOSHY
Physical presence is needed for the usual voice vote. But now, a fellow MP shouting louder to compensate for an absent voice is not going to cut it any more.
STAND up and be counted, that will be the message constantly drummed into the minds of Members of Parliament of both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. Their physical presence is crucial after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong opens the 12th Parliament tomorrow.
The presence of BN MPs or backbenchers is vital to ensure the Bills the Government tables are passed or Standing Order 46(4) could be used by the Opposition to scupper government Bills and motions.
Physical presence is needed for the usual voice vote. But now, a fellow MP shouting louder to compensate for an absent voice is not going to cut it any more.
“It may be possible that when a Bill is going to be passed, there are more Opposition MPs than backbenchers,” says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
“After the “ayes” and “noes” have been taken, it is certainly open to any one of them, if they are dissatisfied with the result announced by the Chair, to call for a division of votes under Order 46(4).
“If 15 or more members support the call, the division will be taken after the bell has been rung for two minutes to allow MPs elsewhere in the building the opportunity to return to the Dewan to state their vote,” said the Minister in charge of Parliament, who adds that he will be cracking the Whip to surmount the problem of absenteeism.
Just like in school, there will be “monitors” to check against truancy and indiscipline (use of offensive and unparliamentary language).
Apart from the calling for a division of votes, the two other most important Standing Orders in the Dewan Rakyat this Parliament, with Barisan Nasional having only a simple majority and so many new MPs, will be those calling for quorum and asking for clarification.
Standing Order 13(2) on quorum will be the one that the Opposition will be using to embarrass the Barisan government and leadership.
Previously, it was quite a common sight to see members relaxing in the MPs lounge or chatting in the canteen cut their conversations in mid-sentence, leave their teh tarik and kuih and make an Olympic-like dash back into the House when the bell for quorum is rung.
According to Order 13(3-4), the Chair is obliged to adjourn the sitting until the next sitting day, if there is no quorum two minutes after the summons was made.
Although the number of members has increased from 216 to 222, the quorum remains 26 as long as there is no amendment.
And since the Opposition make up 82 this time to Barisan’s 140, of whom only 79 are backbenchers, the latter cannot afford to play truant or the day’s sitting could be adjourned after just two hours, wasting the taxpayers’ hard-earned monies and drawing ire from the Whip and the public.
In previous Parliaments, a few Backbenchers have resorted to the same order towards the end of the day’s sitting when an Opposition MP is trying to table a motion to adjourn the sitting to discuss a matter. They can also do it this time if Opposition MPs decide to play truant.
An oft-cited order by Opposition MPs is Standing Order 18(1) by which members ask for leave to move for an adjournment of the day’s business to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance.
An MP wishing to move a vote of no confidence might be able to use this. However, the Chair will only allow the motion if he is satisfied that all three criteria – definite, urgent and public importance – have been met.
With so many MPs in the House of Representatives, those wanting to debate or ask supplementary questions may find they will have to be wily as well as knowledgeable of the Standing Orders to catch the eye/ ear of the Chair.
An important one to know is Order 37 as it prescribes how and for what purposes interruptions may be allowed.
Under 37(1)(a), a member who wants to raise a point of order must rise in his place, direct attention to the point and submit it to the Chair for decision; and 37(1)(b) states that an MP may seek clarification on some matter raised by the member speaking, if the Chair has called on the member wishing to interrupt and provided that member is willing to give way.
Physical presence is needed for the usual voice vote. But now, a fellow MP shouting louder to compensate for an absent voice is not going to cut it any more.
STAND up and be counted, that will be the message constantly drummed into the minds of Members of Parliament of both the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. Their physical presence is crucial after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong opens the 12th Parliament tomorrow.
The presence of BN MPs or backbenchers is vital to ensure the Bills the Government tables are passed or Standing Order 46(4) could be used by the Opposition to scupper government Bills and motions.
Physical presence is needed for the usual voice vote. But now, a fellow MP shouting louder to compensate for an absent voice is not going to cut it any more.
“It may be possible that when a Bill is going to be passed, there are more Opposition MPs than backbenchers,” says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
“After the “ayes” and “noes” have been taken, it is certainly open to any one of them, if they are dissatisfied with the result announced by the Chair, to call for a division of votes under Order 46(4).
“If 15 or more members support the call, the division will be taken after the bell has been rung for two minutes to allow MPs elsewhere in the building the opportunity to return to the Dewan to state their vote,” said the Minister in charge of Parliament, who adds that he will be cracking the Whip to surmount the problem of absenteeism.
Just like in school, there will be “monitors” to check against truancy and indiscipline (use of offensive and unparliamentary language).
Apart from the calling for a division of votes, the two other most important Standing Orders in the Dewan Rakyat this Parliament, with Barisan Nasional having only a simple majority and so many new MPs, will be those calling for quorum and asking for clarification.
Standing Order 13(2) on quorum will be the one that the Opposition will be using to embarrass the Barisan government and leadership.
Previously, it was quite a common sight to see members relaxing in the MPs lounge or chatting in the canteen cut their conversations in mid-sentence, leave their teh tarik and kuih and make an Olympic-like dash back into the House when the bell for quorum is rung.
According to Order 13(3-4), the Chair is obliged to adjourn the sitting until the next sitting day, if there is no quorum two minutes after the summons was made.
Although the number of members has increased from 216 to 222, the quorum remains 26 as long as there is no amendment.
And since the Opposition make up 82 this time to Barisan’s 140, of whom only 79 are backbenchers, the latter cannot afford to play truant or the day’s sitting could be adjourned after just two hours, wasting the taxpayers’ hard-earned monies and drawing ire from the Whip and the public.
In previous Parliaments, a few Backbenchers have resorted to the same order towards the end of the day’s sitting when an Opposition MP is trying to table a motion to adjourn the sitting to discuss a matter. They can also do it this time if Opposition MPs decide to play truant.
An oft-cited order by Opposition MPs is Standing Order 18(1) by which members ask for leave to move for an adjournment of the day’s business to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance.
An MP wishing to move a vote of no confidence might be able to use this. However, the Chair will only allow the motion if he is satisfied that all three criteria – definite, urgent and public importance – have been met.
With so many MPs in the House of Representatives, those wanting to debate or ask supplementary questions may find they will have to be wily as well as knowledgeable of the Standing Orders to catch the eye/ ear of the Chair.
An important one to know is Order 37 as it prescribes how and for what purposes interruptions may be allowed.
Under 37(1)(a), a member who wants to raise a point of order must rise in his place, direct attention to the point and submit it to the Chair for decision; and 37(1)(b) states that an MP may seek clarification on some matter raised by the member speaking, if the Chair has called on the member wishing to interrupt and provided that member is willing to give way.
PKR: Azizah bukan ketua pembangkang lemah - Malaysiakini
Apr 28, 08 1:07pm
Presiden PKR Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail - dengan gayanya yang lemah lembut dan tidak agresif - tidak akan menjadi ketua pembangkang yang lemah di Dewan Rakyat, kata naib presidennya Mohd Azmin Ali.
"Walaupun dalam kelembutannya tetapi mesej yang akan disampaikan itu cukup tegas untuk memastikan agenda reformasi diteruskan.
"Dan saya percaya beliau sedang menyiapkan ucapan sulungnya yang akan disampaikan pada pertengahan minggu depan," kata Azmin, yang juga ahli parlimen Gombak, dalam wawancara dengan Malaysiakini, Jumaat lepas.
Wan Azizah, ahli parlimen Permatang Pauh, terpilih sebagai ketua pembangkang selepas partinya menguasai 31 kerusi, manakala DAP 28 dan PAS 23.
Beliau mencipta sejarah sebagai ketua pembangkang wanita pertama di parlimen. Ketua pembangkang sebelum ini Lim Kit Siang, seorang tokoh utama DAP, memegang jawatan itu hampir tiga dekad.
Sesi pertama penggal ke-12 bermula hari ini dengan upacara angkat sumpah semua anggota Dewan Rakyat dengan dimulakan dengan yang dipertua dewan Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia dan diikuti perdana menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Seramai 222 ahli, termasuk 82 ahli parlimen Pakatan Rakyat, menyertai upacara itu di depan yang dipertuanya pagi ini.
Ia diikuti timbalan perdana menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, menteri-menteri kanan dan menteri-menteri yang baru sebelum disusuli ahli-ahli Dewan Rakyat.
Presiden PKR Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail - dengan gayanya yang lemah lembut dan tidak agresif - tidak akan menjadi ketua pembangkang yang lemah di Dewan Rakyat, kata naib presidennya Mohd Azmin Ali.
"Walaupun dalam kelembutannya tetapi mesej yang akan disampaikan itu cukup tegas untuk memastikan agenda reformasi diteruskan.
"Dan saya percaya beliau sedang menyiapkan ucapan sulungnya yang akan disampaikan pada pertengahan minggu depan," kata Azmin, yang juga ahli parlimen Gombak, dalam wawancara dengan Malaysiakini, Jumaat lepas.
Wan Azizah, ahli parlimen Permatang Pauh, terpilih sebagai ketua pembangkang selepas partinya menguasai 31 kerusi, manakala DAP 28 dan PAS 23.
Beliau mencipta sejarah sebagai ketua pembangkang wanita pertama di parlimen. Ketua pembangkang sebelum ini Lim Kit Siang, seorang tokoh utama DAP, memegang jawatan itu hampir tiga dekad.
Sesi pertama penggal ke-12 bermula hari ini dengan upacara angkat sumpah semua anggota Dewan Rakyat dengan dimulakan dengan yang dipertua dewan Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia dan diikuti perdana menteri Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Seramai 222 ahli, termasuk 82 ahli parlimen Pakatan Rakyat, menyertai upacara itu di depan yang dipertuanya pagi ini.
Ia diikuti timbalan perdana menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, menteri-menteri kanan dan menteri-menteri yang baru sebelum disusuli ahli-ahli Dewan Rakyat.
PKR: Hisham tidak jujur isu keris - Malaysiakini
Apr 28, 08 12:29pm
Pergerakan pemuda PKR menyifatkan permohonan maaf ketua Pemuda Umno Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein berhubung isu kerusi sebagai "gimik politik yang tidak menunjukkan keikhlasannya".
Angkatan muda parti itu (AMK) berkata Hishammudin juga menunjukkan "sifat lidah bercabang" kerana selain mohon maaf kepada bukan Melayu, beliau juga memohonan maaf kepada orang Melayu "kononnya gagal mempertahankan simbol warisan orang Melayu itu".
"Hasutan bentuk ini akan menimbulkan perasaan tidak puas hati yang menggalakkan bangkit semula sentimen perkauman golongan ekstrem yang akan menafsirkannya sebagai orang bukan Melayu yang mengakibatkan Melayu gagal mempertahankan simbol warisan orang Melayu," kata ketua penerangan AMK Lau Tek Hai.
Dalam satu kenyataan semalam, beliau juga menyifatkan Hishammuddin sebagai "seorang munafik kerana permohonan maafnya berasaskan punca kekalahan BN dalam pilihanraya umum lalu tetapi bukan mengakui hakikatnya Pemuda Umno telah secara langsung menjejaskan persahabatan antara kaum yang mengakibatkan syak wasangka antara kaum yang lebih parah."
"AMK menasihatkan Hishammuddin agar menyedari bukan sekadar aksi menghunus keris yang menakutkan orang tetapi aksi ini dalam suasana perhimpunan Umno telah mendorong peserta supaya menjadi lebih ekstrem," katanya.
AMK juga mendesak supaya naib ketua Pemuda Umno Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar berkongsi tanggungjawab yang sama dengan Hishammuddin.
Khairy, dalam perhimpunan Umno tahun lalu menegaskan akan menghunus keris pada setiap perhimpunan agung Pemuda dan menganggap sesiapa yang tidak berbuat demikian boleh dianggap pengkhianat bangsa.
"(Kenyataan) ini merupakan satu hasutan yang lebih berbahaya yang turut menggalakkan golongan ekstrem dalam Umno," kata Lau.
Angkata muda PKR turut mencabar Hishammuddin dan Khairy berundur daripada arena politik sebagai tanda tanggungjawab penuh sekiranya apa yang dikatakannya itu ikhlas dan benar.
Sementara itu, AMK Pulau Pinang merancang mengadakan konvensyen pergerakan itu pada 24 Mei ini dengan tema 'Membina Harapan Baru Generasi Muda Pulau Pinang' di bangunan Komtar.
"Kita mahu generasi muda di Pulau Pinang sedar bahawa kami sentiasa mendengar pandangan dan komen-komen daripada mereka bagi menjamin keadilan untuk semua rakyat terjamin," kata penganjurnya Amir Ghazali dalam satu kenyataan semalam.
"Setiap AMK bahagian dipertanggungjawabkan membentangkan usul-usul yang telah difikirkankan oleh jawatankuasa konvensyen. Usul-usul ini merupakan antara suara-suara generasi muda yang mahukan keadilan, kesejahteraan dan keamanan terjamin."
Konvensyen sehari itu dirasmikan ketua AMK pusat Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin dan majlis penutupannya disempurnakan oleh timbalan ketua menteri Pulau Pinang, Muhamad Fairus Khairuddin.
Pergerakan pemuda PKR menyifatkan permohonan maaf ketua Pemuda Umno Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein berhubung isu kerusi sebagai "gimik politik yang tidak menunjukkan keikhlasannya".
Angkatan muda parti itu (AMK) berkata Hishammudin juga menunjukkan "sifat lidah bercabang" kerana selain mohon maaf kepada bukan Melayu, beliau juga memohonan maaf kepada orang Melayu "kononnya gagal mempertahankan simbol warisan orang Melayu itu".
"Hasutan bentuk ini akan menimbulkan perasaan tidak puas hati yang menggalakkan bangkit semula sentimen perkauman golongan ekstrem yang akan menafsirkannya sebagai orang bukan Melayu yang mengakibatkan Melayu gagal mempertahankan simbol warisan orang Melayu," kata ketua penerangan AMK Lau Tek Hai.
Dalam satu kenyataan semalam, beliau juga menyifatkan Hishammuddin sebagai "seorang munafik kerana permohonan maafnya berasaskan punca kekalahan BN dalam pilihanraya umum lalu tetapi bukan mengakui hakikatnya Pemuda Umno telah secara langsung menjejaskan persahabatan antara kaum yang mengakibatkan syak wasangka antara kaum yang lebih parah."
"AMK menasihatkan Hishammuddin agar menyedari bukan sekadar aksi menghunus keris yang menakutkan orang tetapi aksi ini dalam suasana perhimpunan Umno telah mendorong peserta supaya menjadi lebih ekstrem," katanya.
AMK juga mendesak supaya naib ketua Pemuda Umno Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar berkongsi tanggungjawab yang sama dengan Hishammuddin.
Khairy, dalam perhimpunan Umno tahun lalu menegaskan akan menghunus keris pada setiap perhimpunan agung Pemuda dan menganggap sesiapa yang tidak berbuat demikian boleh dianggap pengkhianat bangsa.
"(Kenyataan) ini merupakan satu hasutan yang lebih berbahaya yang turut menggalakkan golongan ekstrem dalam Umno," kata Lau.
Angkata muda PKR turut mencabar Hishammuddin dan Khairy berundur daripada arena politik sebagai tanda tanggungjawab penuh sekiranya apa yang dikatakannya itu ikhlas dan benar.
Sementara itu, AMK Pulau Pinang merancang mengadakan konvensyen pergerakan itu pada 24 Mei ini dengan tema 'Membina Harapan Baru Generasi Muda Pulau Pinang' di bangunan Komtar.
"Kita mahu generasi muda di Pulau Pinang sedar bahawa kami sentiasa mendengar pandangan dan komen-komen daripada mereka bagi menjamin keadilan untuk semua rakyat terjamin," kata penganjurnya Amir Ghazali dalam satu kenyataan semalam.
"Setiap AMK bahagian dipertanggungjawabkan membentangkan usul-usul yang telah difikirkankan oleh jawatankuasa konvensyen. Usul-usul ini merupakan antara suara-suara generasi muda yang mahukan keadilan, kesejahteraan dan keamanan terjamin."
Konvensyen sehari itu dirasmikan ketua AMK pusat Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin dan majlis penutupannya disempurnakan oleh timbalan ketua menteri Pulau Pinang, Muhamad Fairus Khairuddin.
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