Dewan Rakyat attendance: My record better than Hadi's - Saifuddin

Summary

• Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution refutes claims about his absence in Parliament, pointing out his attendance was far better than PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s.

• PN’s Takiyuddin Hassan criticises Saifuddin’s absence during key Sosma votes in 2022 and questions the government’s position on abolishing the law, citing Anwar Ibrahim’s past remarks.

• Saifuddin counters by highlighting PN’s 33-month rule, during which no Hudud-related legislation was tabled, questioning PAS’ commitment to its long-standing Islamic state agenda.

PARLIAMENT | Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has asserted that his attendance in the Dewan Rakyat is significantly better than that of PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang.

During his winding-up speech in Parliament today, Saifuddin addressed the matter after Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) highlighted his absence during the vote on the enforcement period of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) under Section 4(5) in 2022.

“Questioning whether I attend or not, let me guarantee one thing, my attendance in the House is far better than Marang (Hadi)’s record. That’s a fact. If I happened to miss one or two votes, it’s not something to make an issue out of.

“My record is better. That’s a fact, no need to debate it,” he said.

According to data from the civil society initiative MyMP, Hadi only attended 54 out of 162 parliamentary sessions since July 26, 2021.

The site also listed him as one of the MPs with the lowest attendance in the Dewan Rakyat in 2023.

The website, however, did not have data on Saifuddin as he is a senator.

Saifuddin was Kulim-Bandar Baharu MP from 2013 until 2022.

Earlier, Takiyuddin questioned Saifuddin’s absence during the first and second votes on the matter, asking why the PKR leader was not present.

He also pressed Saifuddin on the government’s stance regarding the abolition of Sosma, citing Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s 2018 remark that the Act was worse than the Internal Security Act (ISA).

Anwar was detained under the now-abolished ISA and had spent 12 years in prison.

Hudud law

Dismissing Takiyuddin’s remarks as political, Saifuddin stated that while some provisions of Sosma would remain, others would be reviewed to ensure national stability and public safety.

In response to Takiyuddin linking the issue to Anwar’s past statement, Saifuddin countered by pointing out that during PN’s 33 months in power, no legislation on Hudud law was introduced.

“It’s the same on the other side. ‘An Islamic state is our lifeblood, Hudud is our lifeblood’, but after 33 months in power, not a single verse, not a single Act was tabled in this House.

“I could say the same thing. Has the Yang Berhormat commitment changed in upholding an Islamic state as PAS’ ideological struggle? Has the Yang Berhormat shifted in commitment towards implementing Hudud?” he remarked.

‘Don’t compare yourself to Tok Guru’

During a press conference, Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) criticised Saifuddin for comparing himself to Hadi, who still attended the parliamentary session even though he was unwell.

“(There is) no need to compare himself to Tok Guru (Hadi). Even when Tok Guru was unwell, he still attended.

"Don’t be too arrogant towards those who devote themselves to Allah,” he added.

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