Rising prices motion sent to special chambers, opposition wants debate
PARLIAMENT | Salahuddin Ayub’s (Pakatan Harapan-Pulai) emergency motion to seek answers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) on the rising prices of basic necessities was approved for debate in the special chambers today.
Subsequently, several opposition MPs had unsuccessfully urged deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon, who was chairing the sitting at the time, to hold the debate in the Dewan Rakyat instead.
“In such a case, it should be debated in the House, not just in the special chambers because (doing it in the Dewan Rakyat) would give space to all MPs to be involved...
PARLIAMENT | Salahuddin Ayub’s (Pakatan Harapan-Pulai) emergency motion to seek answers from the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry (KPDNHEP) on the rising prices of basic necessities was approved for debate in the special chambers today.
Subsequently, several opposition MPs had unsuccessfully urged deputy speaker Rashid Hasnon, who was chairing the sitting at the time, to hold the debate in the Dewan Rakyat instead.
“In such a case, it should be debated in the House, not just in the special chambers because (doing it in the Dewan Rakyat) would give space to all MPs to be involved.
“If they were asked to debate like this (in the special chambers), it is only the KPDNHEP minister who will answer but we know this issue also involves the Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
“In that context, it should not be debated in the special chambers as it will be a limited debate,” opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim (Harapan-Port Dickson) (above) said.
Among the other opposition MPs who supported Anwar’s proposal included Mahfuz Omar (Harapan-Pokok Sena), Saifuddin Nasution (Harapan-Kulim Bandar Baharu) and Steven Sim (Harapan-Bukit Mertajam).
Rashid’s reply to Anwar was that it was Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun’s decision and that the special chambers are open to any MP to attend albeit with limited space.
After repeated urgings failed to move Rashid, Anwar asked for assurance that the other ministries involved in the rising prices of basic necessities will be present at the special chamber's debate as well.
“It is not about the MPs attendance, but about the attendance of the relevant ministers. I know at least four ministries (are involved).
“So seeing as the Speaker’s decision cannot be changed, is there a guarantee that the four ministries will attend the special chambers?” he asked.
Sim also pointed out that KPDNHEP Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi had himself acknowledged on Tuesday that the issue of rising prices is not just the responsibility of his ministry alone.
“If he (Alexander) said so himself and we send him to the special chambers, he will repeat the same thing again and the issue won’t be resolved,” Sim said.
In response to these arguments, Alexander said Salahuddin’s motion may not have been accurate if the purpose was to get a holistic explanation of the issue, as the motion had only specified the KPDNHEP ministry.
“If you want to hear from KPDNHEP (in special chambers), I may repeat my answer from Tuesday,” he said.
After the commotion, Rashid eventually ruled that the debate on the issue will remain in the special chambers as he referred to Salahuddin’s motion that had singled out KPDNHEP for answers.
Rashid then said he wanted to move on to the committee stage debates for the Rural Development Ministry’s allocation under Budget 2022.
Coincidentally, Anwar was the first speaker listed for the debate, upon which he continued to urge the relevant ministries to immediately step in and resolve the issue of the rising prices of basic necessities.
“While this (Rural Development) ministry is important, this pressing issue (of rising prices) needs to be addressed immediately,” he said, using all his allotted time to speak on this matter.
He warned that the public was getting angry over the lack of action, citing an example from the 1970s when the prices of rubber fell.
Anwar said the minister in charge at the time had blamed stockpiling by the US for the falling rubber prices, which led to the 1974 Baling incident.
“From 1974 until now, the ministers have not yet learned about the experiences and suffering of the rakyat.
“Help lighten their burden a bit, that is all they ask. This is a weak Parliament if it does not give space to debate today’s pressing issue which is burdening the rakyat.
“Do not wait until there are large-scale demonstrations,” Anwar cautioned.
