YOURSAY | 'Any other meeting should not clash and should be held outside Parliament hours.'

Empty seats prompt 'where are the ministers' poser

KKKSSS: Parliament sittings are planned way ahead and there is no reason for ministers to be absent.

Please treat Parliament sittings as your utmost priority, for this is where voices of the rakyat are being brought forward by the MPs.

Any other meeting should not clash and should be held outside Parliament hours. We don’t wish to see a full turnout only when bills have to be voted on.

Anonymous_1529020255: I believe there must have been more urgent matters that need their attention, otherwise it is unlikely that both the ministers and deputies would not be around, especially since this is the first parliamentary season for them as government.

FlabberPro: I do agree with BN that the Harapan ministers and deputy ministers should not follow in the footsteps of the previous government.

I remember Subang MP Wong Chen said in one of his election speeches that BN MPs were hardly found in their seats during Parliament sessions. Well, today's absenteeism speaks volumes.

Anonymous: It's a very fair question. Much as I dislike the ways of opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, his position, speech and the House should merit respect.

It is no longer good enough for Malaysiakini commenters to just insult Umno. The latter couldn't have found fault if Harapan had been where they should have been.

Harapan needs to understand the need to lead by example, including good manners.

It’s good to see Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin providing a solution, yet again.

M Manoharan: Lawmakers missing in action is sad indeed. Parliament sittings are extremely important as laws are made here.

Why not hold the weekly Wednesday cabinet meetings on Fridays when Parliament is not in session?

Hcleong: We support Harapan but we don’t want them to behave like the previous government, absent from the august House.

You are the wakil rakyat (people’s representatives). Looking at the rows of empty benches is very discouraging.

Khairy is getting more sensible now, please follow his advice. Do not hold meetings such as cabinet meetings concurrently.

Homesick: Why are we so quick to condemn without knowing the full facts?

For example, this picture is only a half-truth. Where is the other half of the picture showing the opposition bench?

Lovemalaysia2: The BN government was particularly bad - not only did then prime minister Najib Razak rarely attend sittings, senior ministers were frequently “overseas” during Parliament sittings.

I think it is fair comment to expect full attendance, especially as Wednesday was the first day of real business in our new Parliament.

That said, Westminster attendance is never complete unless there is a division when MPs return to the chamber.

RR: Harapan should have known that this question of absenteeism would be raised, and yet it held a cabinet meeting on Wednesday and was hammered by BN.

Thanks, Khairy, for giving a sensible solution. Parliamentary sessions should be treated as supreme. No more absentees, please.

Anonymous 621101460964937: Ah, the pleasures of being the opposition. Good job, BN. You earn your keep at least this time.

Nga: Ministers, deputies absent from Parliament inappropriate

MapleSyrup: Yes, minister or not, all MPs have to attend Parliament sittings.

They must be reminded that they are elected as members of parliament and need to represent their constituents to give them their voice.

Don't behave like BN MPs in this 'Malaysia Baru'.

Anonymous 8231440077354: This is the problem with Harapan's chief whip.

He or she must ensure the attendance of MPs and ministers alike in the Dewan Rakyat. Instead, deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming has to highlight this.

It is sad for democracy when the MPs forget their role as the rakyat's voice and ears in Dewan Rakyat.

HangTuahPJ: Nga, can we have a yearly report card on attendance? It should be released for public viewing so that we know who to vote for in the next general election.

What is the use of electing them when they do not represent our interests in Parliament?

P Dev Anand Pillai: But wasn't this the same during BN’s reign? Isn't the same man in charge of the country now as it was from 1981 to 2003? So, what is new?

I am sure the ministers had a reason to be absent. If the ministers can't be present, then ensure that the deputies are well-equipped by the ministry's staffers to answer questions from the opposition.

If that too cannot be done, then let's not waste time with Parliament. Perhaps we can turn this nation into several feudal fiefdoms which can then decide what is best for themselves!

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