KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was amused by opposition members of parliament (MPs) who refused to participate in the 2021 Auditor General's Report debate in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Azalina, during her winding-up speech, said she was baffled by the actions of the opposition MPs, as none were present when 13 others took part in the debate.
Some of them had raised the procurement of unsuitable and unsafe ventilators by the Health Ministry.
"I do not understand, cannot accept and sometimes tickled when I hear how adamant they were about not wanting to debate, which was on the points that had been highlighted in the report.
"MPs represent and express the people's voice, and they were the ones who put us here. We cannot deny the rakyat and must channel their concerns to the Public Accounts Committee, which has less than 20 members, when we have 222 MPs.
"They do not even want to hear the debate. What is so bad about what the MPs would debate about? None of them (opposition MPs) are here. I saw someone, but that person had excused himself and left the hall."
Azalina did not mince her words in expressing her views on the matter.
"I am really upset. I do not know what they are afraid of. But what can I do?
"We want to call out on issues raised in the report, and it is for the good of the people because it is their money, not ours or our mothers' or fathers'," said Azalina.
She said it was ironic that the opposition was now dodging the debate, when it could have been done in 2021, should Parliament convene during the Covid-19 emergency period when they ruled.
She also apologised to the house for "ranting" because the opposition had painted the unity government as "cruel" and did not follow the country's laws.
"We want to make things right. We need to learn from past mistakes. The 10th prime Minister wants a transparent and accountable Madani government.
"More importantly, we must be reminded that we have parliamentary privileges under Clause 63. When we speak outside, we can be summoned for slander.
"In here, we can say whatever, and we get protection. So all Yang Berhormat, please do not be afraid to call out the government because it will lead to better results. It will assist the Madani government to be more transparent and responsible," she said.
https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/917178/azalina-tickled-opposition-mps-who-boycott-auditor-generals-report-debate
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