Dewan Negara president Abu Zahar Ujang today remarked on the absence of ministers, deputy ministers and ministry officers during the debate in the senate.

He passed the remark when Senator Rizuan Abdul Hamid was speaking during the debate on the 10th Malaysia Plan and wanted a ministry to take note of his suggestion.

"I have asked the ministry representatives to be in the house. But what's this? I want this to be recorded. This is an august house. Just now a minister spoke. At least the deputy ministers and officers should have been here. Now, whom are we to address?

"We are discussing an important issue. If a minister cannot attend, the deputy minister should. I want do not a recurrence of this," he said.

Abu Zahar said the debate session was important because the senators would make suggestions or comments which could serve as a guide for the improvement of government programmes.

Senator Musa Sheikh Fadzir interjected to say that there was only one deputy minister in the house then.

Moments later, several ministry representatives entered the house.

- Bernama