PKR says long notice period for questions 'dictatorial'
PARLIAMENT PKR has demanded that the Parliament reduce its notice period for parliamentary questions to be submitted before the commencement of the parliamentary sitting.
It labels the current practice as "dictatorial".
PARLIAMENT PKR has demanded that the Parliament reduce its notice period for parliamentary questions to be submitted before the commencement of the parliamentary sitting.
It labels the current practice as "dictatorial".
PKR vice-president N Surendran told reporters during a press conference today that the Parliament should allow MPs to submit questions just two days before a sitting commences, as opposed to having them submitted 14 days before sitting resumes.
Surendran argued that such a practice would render questions asked to be no longer relevant by the time they come up in Parliament under the question and answer sessions in mornings.
"In view of all this, I did not submit any questions for this parliamentary sitting as a sign of protest," he said.
“Although it looks like the Parliament is giving us (opposition) an opportunity to speak, actually it is not,” Surendran said.
“In the UK questions are submitted with two days’ notice, in Canada and Australia there is no notice (required),” he added.
He described the Parliament as being a “pseudo Parliament” that only acts as a rubber-stamp body.
Surendran said that the Parliament must not “make a joke” out of the people by claiming the practice is democratic.
“What a laughing stock of a Parliament,” he said.
Surendran said that he had submitted a motion under Standing Order 27 (3) to amend the notice period for questions to be submitted.
“I hope this will be allowed to be heard (in the Dewan Rakyat),” he added.
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