(Bernama) -- Umno vice- president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang is dreaming when claiming that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong backed the memorandum calling for electoral reforms submitted to Istana Negara during an illegal assembly here on Saturday.
"It wasn't the King who received it, only a palace official. His majesty was not even there when the memorandum was submitted. How could he say that the Agong supports him," he told reporters here today.
Hadi had said the fact that the memorandum was received by Istana Negara showed that the King supported the protest against the country's electoral system.
Muhyiddin said Hadi was indulging in political play-acting in his attempt to mislead the public on what actually transpired on Saturday.
In Kuantan, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said he believed that Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin would not be easily ensnared by such tactics.
He suggested that the Internal Security Act (ISA) be invoked against participants of illegal assemblies as their action could undermine internal security and public order.
Adnan also claimed that an opposition leader orchestrated the gathering to cover up his own weaknesses.
"It wasn't the King who received it, only a palace official. His majesty was not even there when the memorandum was submitted. How could he say that the Agong supports him," he told reporters here today.
Hadi had said the fact that the memorandum was received by Istana Negara showed that the King supported the protest against the country's electoral system.
Muhyiddin said Hadi was indulging in political play-acting in his attempt to mislead the public on what actually transpired on Saturday.
In Kuantan, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob said he believed that Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin would not be easily ensnared by such tactics.
He suggested that the Internal Security Act (ISA) be invoked against participants of illegal assemblies as their action could undermine internal security and public order.
Adnan also claimed that an opposition leader orchestrated the gathering to cover up his own weaknesses.
(Bernama) -- Malaysians must be prepared for the effects of the global trend of rising oil prices, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shafie Apdal said today.
He said hardship caused by rising oil prices was faced by governments and political parties worldwide, including the United States, Japan and Europe.
"Some irresponsible people say oil prices should not be raised. No government or leader in the world can stop oil prices from rising, including President George Bush of the United States and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown," he told reporters at a Deeparaya goodwill gathering here.
To cushion fuel price increase, he said, the government wants the people to be smart consumers by buying only essential goods and cheaper items.
He said short supply of fuel in winter, growing demand from industries in China, India and Europe and wars have contributed to spiralling global oil prices.
Shafie said the trend of rising world oil prices would continue and is expected to hit US$100 per barrel by year-end.
He said findings of a study on the fuel subsidy and distribution, expected to be out in a few months, would consider the people's affordability and the government's capacity to absorb the RM40 billion subsidy bill.
Asked about talk that the government may raise oil prices by 30 to 50 sen next year, he said: "We will study and approach the matter differently.
"Please don't listen to rumours.
"If the global oil prices increases, the government plans to introduce a system that will not burden the people."
He said Malaysians should become smart consumers and not join a boycott campaign as it would stifle the national economy.
He said hardship caused by rising oil prices was faced by governments and political parties worldwide, including the United States, Japan and Europe.
"Some irresponsible people say oil prices should not be raised. No government or leader in the world can stop oil prices from rising, including President George Bush of the United States and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown," he told reporters at a Deeparaya goodwill gathering here.
To cushion fuel price increase, he said, the government wants the people to be smart consumers by buying only essential goods and cheaper items.
He said short supply of fuel in winter, growing demand from industries in China, India and Europe and wars have contributed to spiralling global oil prices.
Shafie said the trend of rising world oil prices would continue and is expected to hit US$100 per barrel by year-end.
He said findings of a study on the fuel subsidy and distribution, expected to be out in a few months, would consider the people's affordability and the government's capacity to absorb the RM40 billion subsidy bill.
Asked about talk that the government may raise oil prices by 30 to 50 sen next year, he said: "We will study and approach the matter differently.
"Please don't listen to rumours.
"If the global oil prices increases, the government plans to introduce a system that will not burden the people."
He said Malaysians should become smart consumers and not join a boycott campaign as it would stifle the national economy.
Malaysians were urged to wear yellow every Saturday in a protest against the government, after a rally calling for election reform was suppressed with water cannons and tear gas.
The organisers of last Saturday's rally, which despite heavy rain and a government ban drew 40,000 people in the biggest turnout in a decade, selected yellow as the colour of "people power".
"We are asking everyone nationwide to wear yellow on every Saturday. It can be a yellow cap, a yellow shirt, a yellow ribbon ... just anything yellow," said Syed Azman Syed Nawawi from the opposition Islamic party PAS.
The protest movement, a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups known as Bersih, is pushing for reforms including a clean-up of the electoral roll and an end to postal votes.
They handed a protest memorandum to the king during the rally and said Tuesday they would also meet the country's nine state sultans to press for reforms.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is expected to call snap polls early next year, has denounced the protesters for involving the king who is highly respected but has a largely ceremonial role and usually stays out of politics.
"We do not want to drag in the king and the sultans but who else can we appeal to," Syed Azman said at a press conference along with other opposition leaders.
"The government and the election commission have turned a deaf ear. So we turn to the king who is the protector of the people and the constitution," he said.
Syed Azman said that four Bersih leaders have been summoned to report to police headquarters on Thursday.
Police have said that 245 people were detained during the protests, although organisers and rights groups say that is an exaggeration and only 36 people were arrested.
Reports said today that the parents of 18 children detained at the rally will be charged with engdangering their children.
"It was an irresponsible act and wrong of the adults to bring children to the rally," police chief Musa Hassan said according to the New Straits Times. - AFP
The organisers of last Saturday's rally, which despite heavy rain and a government ban drew 40,000 people in the biggest turnout in a decade, selected yellow as the colour of "people power".
"We are asking everyone nationwide to wear yellow on every Saturday. It can be a yellow cap, a yellow shirt, a yellow ribbon ... just anything yellow," said Syed Azman Syed Nawawi from the opposition Islamic party PAS.
The protest movement, a coalition of opposition parties and civil society groups known as Bersih, is pushing for reforms including a clean-up of the electoral roll and an end to postal votes.
They handed a protest memorandum to the king during the rally and said Tuesday they would also meet the country's nine state sultans to press for reforms.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is expected to call snap polls early next year, has denounced the protesters for involving the king who is highly respected but has a largely ceremonial role and usually stays out of politics.
"We do not want to drag in the king and the sultans but who else can we appeal to," Syed Azman said at a press conference along with other opposition leaders.
"The government and the election commission have turned a deaf ear. So we turn to the king who is the protector of the people and the constitution," he said.
Syed Azman said that four Bersih leaders have been summoned to report to police headquarters on Thursday.
Police have said that 245 people were detained during the protests, although organisers and rights groups say that is an exaggeration and only 36 people were arrested.
Reports said today that the parents of 18 children detained at the rally will be charged with engdangering their children.
"It was an irresponsible act and wrong of the adults to bring children to the rally," police chief Musa Hassan said according to the New Straits Times. - AFP
The Star
Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin has strongly criticised satellite television station Al Jazeera’s coverage of Saturday’s illegal gathering here.
Describing the coverage as biased, unfair and confusing to people living overseas, he said he would write to the station stating that the Government was aware of what the station was trying to do.
“They also cited a blogger as an independent journalist when the blogger is actually a DAP member,” he said.
Thousands of demonstrators under the Bersih coalition gathered at various parts of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday before marching to Istana Negara to present a memorandum calling for fair and free elections.
Zainuddin said Al Jazeera’s coverage gave the impression that the police were violent when they actually took minimum action to control the crowd.
“The police only used water cannons and tear gas and did not shoot anyone,” he said.
Zainuddin also quoted the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia which commended the police for carrying out a good job in controlling the crowd.
“When faced with demonstrators, the police allowed them to march to the palace,” Zainuddin said.
Zainuddin said Al Jazeera should use its base in Malaysia as an opportunity to strengthen bonds with the West rather than to portray Malaysia as anti-West.
Information Minister Datuk Seri Zainuddin Maidin has strongly criticised satellite television station Al Jazeera’s coverage of Saturday’s illegal gathering here.
Describing the coverage as biased, unfair and confusing to people living overseas, he said he would write to the station stating that the Government was aware of what the station was trying to do.
“They also cited a blogger as an independent journalist when the blogger is actually a DAP member,” he said.
Thousands of demonstrators under the Bersih coalition gathered at various parts of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday before marching to Istana Negara to present a memorandum calling for fair and free elections.
Zainuddin said Al Jazeera’s coverage gave the impression that the police were violent when they actually took minimum action to control the crowd.
“The police only used water cannons and tear gas and did not shoot anyone,” he said.
Zainuddin also quoted the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia which commended the police for carrying out a good job in controlling the crowd.
“When faced with demonstrators, the police allowed them to march to the palace,” Zainuddin said.
Zainuddin said Al Jazeera should use its base in Malaysia as an opportunity to strengthen bonds with the West rather than to portray Malaysia as anti-West.
The Star
Children involved in the illegal assembly at Dataran Merdeka last Saturday were exploited by their parents.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said action could be taken against these parents, as it is an offence under the Child Protection Act.
Describing the parents as irresponsible, he said they should know the danger of getting their children involved in the rally.
The IGP also said that action would be taken against the 245 people who were detained and later released.
“They have been released after questioning. We will take action later,” he said after witnessing the handing over of duty from retiring Deputy IGP Tan Sri Mohd Najib Abdul Aziz to his successor Datuk Ismail Omar.
Musa suggested the opposition parties have dialogues instead of getting involved in illegal assemblies.
“Illegal assemblies inconvenience the public,” he said, adding that shops and offices in the area had to close on Saturday due to the illegal assembly.
Musa also said the roadblocks had to be set up for security checks to ensure no one was carrying any weapon and to weed out undesirable elements.
Police are bracing for another illegal assembly being planned by opposition parties in Kuala Terengganu in three weeks time.
“Yes, we will strengthen our security and we will see what they have planned,” Musa added.
Children involved in the illegal assembly at Dataran Merdeka last Saturday were exploited by their parents.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said action could be taken against these parents, as it is an offence under the Child Protection Act.
Describing the parents as irresponsible, he said they should know the danger of getting their children involved in the rally.
The IGP also said that action would be taken against the 245 people who were detained and later released.
“They have been released after questioning. We will take action later,” he said after witnessing the handing over of duty from retiring Deputy IGP Tan Sri Mohd Najib Abdul Aziz to his successor Datuk Ismail Omar.
Musa suggested the opposition parties have dialogues instead of getting involved in illegal assemblies.
“Illegal assemblies inconvenience the public,” he said, adding that shops and offices in the area had to close on Saturday due to the illegal assembly.
Musa also said the roadblocks had to be set up for security checks to ensure no one was carrying any weapon and to weed out undesirable elements.
Police are bracing for another illegal assembly being planned by opposition parties in Kuala Terengganu in three weeks time.
“Yes, we will strengthen our security and we will see what they have planned,” Musa added.
12/11: Parents of 18 to be charged
By : Alang Bendahara
New Straits Times
The parents of 18 children detained in Saturday's illegal rally will be charged with endangering their children.
The children were allegedly used as shields to prevent police from firing tear gas and water at the demonstrators who refused to disperse.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he had ordered his men to act against the parents.
"The parents were exploiting the children," Musa said, adding that the investigations were being carried out under the Child Protection Act.
"It was an irresponsible act and wrong of the adults to bring children to the rally.
"They knew the rally was illegal and police would act, yet they placed the children in danger."
Musa said fortunately none of the children, who were taken to the city police headquarters, was hurt.
The IGP also defended his men's actions.
"It was an illegal assembly which went ahead despite our repeated advice against holding it. We urged the demonstrators to disperse but the crowd turned unruly."
He said the protesters disrupted traffic and made a nuisance of themselves.
"That was when we moved in."
On the numerous roadblocks, Musa said they had to screen those entering the city.
"We needed to filter any undesirable elements and check for weapons and arms.
"We had no choice as public safety was paramount."
Traffic came to a standstill across the capital as police cordoned off Dataran Merdeka, closed train stations and restricted or diverted vehicles from the city centre.
He said the parties involved in the rally should have resorted to other means to address their grouses.
"Why not do it through dialogue instead of a rally?"
He advised opposition parties against organising another rally scheduled for later this month.
It was reported yesterday that at least 18 children were detained by police along with their parents for failing to disperse on Saturday.
A 6-year-old was picked up along with her parents. The number of detainees was 245. Their ages were between 6 and 55. They were released after their statements were taken.
They are being investigated for taking part in an illegal assembly and face a jail sentence of not more than one year, and fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000, upon conviction.
Musa said more arrests are expected in the next few days.
A coalition of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations, calling itself Bersih, had organised the rally estimated by police at 10,000, to deliver an election reform petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, was away in Terengganu but a palace official accepted the memorandum.
New Straits Times
The parents of 18 children detained in Saturday's illegal rally will be charged with endangering their children.
The children were allegedly used as shields to prevent police from firing tear gas and water at the demonstrators who refused to disperse.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said he had ordered his men to act against the parents.
"The parents were exploiting the children," Musa said, adding that the investigations were being carried out under the Child Protection Act.
"It was an irresponsible act and wrong of the adults to bring children to the rally.
"They knew the rally was illegal and police would act, yet they placed the children in danger."
Musa said fortunately none of the children, who were taken to the city police headquarters, was hurt.
The IGP also defended his men's actions.
"It was an illegal assembly which went ahead despite our repeated advice against holding it. We urged the demonstrators to disperse but the crowd turned unruly."
He said the protesters disrupted traffic and made a nuisance of themselves.
"That was when we moved in."
On the numerous roadblocks, Musa said they had to screen those entering the city.
"We needed to filter any undesirable elements and check for weapons and arms.
"We had no choice as public safety was paramount."
Traffic came to a standstill across the capital as police cordoned off Dataran Merdeka, closed train stations and restricted or diverted vehicles from the city centre.
He said the parties involved in the rally should have resorted to other means to address their grouses.
"Why not do it through dialogue instead of a rally?"
He advised opposition parties against organising another rally scheduled for later this month.
It was reported yesterday that at least 18 children were detained by police along with their parents for failing to disperse on Saturday.
A 6-year-old was picked up along with her parents. The number of detainees was 245. Their ages were between 6 and 55. They were released after their statements were taken.
They are being investigated for taking part in an illegal assembly and face a jail sentence of not more than one year, and fine of between RM2,000 and RM10,000, upon conviction.
Musa said more arrests are expected in the next few days.
A coalition of opposition parties and non-governmental organisations, calling itself Bersih, had organised the rally estimated by police at 10,000, to deliver an election reform petition to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
The king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, was away in Terengganu but a palace official accepted the memorandum.
The Star
KUANTAN: Deterrent measures, including enforcing the Internal Security Act, should be taken against those who promote ill will and hostility, said Pahang Umno chief Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
Referring to last Saturday’s illegal gathering in Kuala Lumpur organised by Bersih to demand for “clean and fair” elections, Adnan said national security took precedence over the demands raised by the opposition.
“National security is of utmost importance, more than legality or human rights,” he said.
“I am not prepared to see a society broken. If they have to use the ISA, then do so,” he added.
Adnan, who is the Mentri Besar, said there was a need to put to a stop all the unruly behaviour that only caused hardship to the people.
On the strong protest expected from the international media and opposition if Malaysia were to impose the ISA, he said: “Why must we take into consideration their views? Our own survival is more important.
“We can just ignore what they have to say about us.”
In KUALA LUMPUR, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said the international business communities were neither concerned with nor interested about the street demonstrations held by the opposition.
The International Trade and Industry Minister said the demonstrations had not altered foreign investors’ perception of doing business in Malaysia.
She said that during her many trade trips overseas, the business communities there had never asked about the opposition.
In TANGKAK, Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said if elections in the country were not clean, then opposition candidates would not have won any seats.
The senator added that PAS even managed to win over Kelantan and Terengganu to form the state governments.
In Parliament yesterday, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang told a press conference that Malaysians had the right to appeal to the King to intervene in the people’s petition for electoral reforms.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong symbolises the fountain of justice in Malaysia and it’s completely within constitutional norms for Malaysians to appeal to the King for intervention,” he said.
KUANTAN: Deterrent measures, including enforcing the Internal Security Act, should be taken against those who promote ill will and hostility, said Pahang Umno chief Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob.
Referring to last Saturday’s illegal gathering in Kuala Lumpur organised by Bersih to demand for “clean and fair” elections, Adnan said national security took precedence over the demands raised by the opposition.
“National security is of utmost importance, more than legality or human rights,” he said.
“I am not prepared to see a society broken. If they have to use the ISA, then do so,” he added.
Adnan, who is the Mentri Besar, said there was a need to put to a stop all the unruly behaviour that only caused hardship to the people.
On the strong protest expected from the international media and opposition if Malaysia were to impose the ISA, he said: “Why must we take into consideration their views? Our own survival is more important.
“We can just ignore what they have to say about us.”
In KUALA LUMPUR, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz said the international business communities were neither concerned with nor interested about the street demonstrations held by the opposition.
The International Trade and Industry Minister said the demonstrations had not altered foreign investors’ perception of doing business in Malaysia.
She said that during her many trade trips overseas, the business communities there had never asked about the opposition.
In TANGKAK, Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib said if elections in the country were not clean, then opposition candidates would not have won any seats.
The senator added that PAS even managed to win over Kelantan and Terengganu to form the state governments.
In Parliament yesterday, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang told a press conference that Malaysians had the right to appeal to the King to intervene in the people’s petition for electoral reforms.
“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong symbolises the fountain of justice in Malaysia and it’s completely within constitutional norms for Malaysians to appeal to the King for intervention,” he said.
Ex-deputy premier displays ability to get PAS and DAP to work together
By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief
The Straits Times
IT WAS a surreal sight: Bersih protesters in their yellow T-shirts picking up litter in front of the palace after their mass protest for electoral reforms on Saturday.
Especially as Bersih means clean in Malay.
The clean-up was a sure indication that the protest was well-organised. Another sign was the fact that nearly all of the protesters were dressed in yellow - the colour of royalty.
It was clearly not an uprising, so to speak. In that sense, it was very different from the pro-Anwar Ibrahim Reformasi protests that erupted after he was sacked as deputy premier in 1998.
But there were similarities in terms of size. Saturday's protest was huge, whether it involved 10,000 people, according to the police, or 50,000, according to the organisers.
It was easily the largest protest in almost a decade, and it was organised by an opposition-led coalition of political parties and civil society groups called Bersih.
Bersih was formed last year, and its goal is to push for reform of the electoral process, which it says is unfair to the opposition.
On Saturday, protesters handed over a memorandum to the palace demanding reforms, including the abolition of postal votes, ahead of a general election that is widely expected to be called within months.
Observers note that the massive turnout has given a fillip to Datuk Seri Anwar's stature as a leader of the opposition.
Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng believes that Datuk Seri Anwar has, over the last few months, gained some credibility as an opposition force to be reckoned with.
'The rally showed how Anwar's leadership can bring the different opposition forces together,' he said.
The rally was evidently largely organised by the highly effective grassroots network of Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS). Supporters organised the crowd, directed traffic and cleaned up after the event.
But it was Datuk Seri Anwar who addressed the rally before handing over the memorandum to the palace.
The top PAS leaders, along with leaders from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP), allowed him that highly symbolic role.
Datuk Seri Anwar is an acceptable face to all sides, while PAS is viewed with suspicion by the Chinese, and DAP is mistrusted by the Malays.
He has been striving to be a bridge between the two parties, which are poles apart in their ideologies.
Previous elections have shown that they do not need close collaboration to be effective; they only need to stay out of each other's way.
Right now, there is much euphoria in the opposition camps, although it is hard to say what the massive rally means for a general election.
'It would be wrong to think that it will bring big change in the next election but it would also be wrong to take this as just another political rally,' said Mr Wong Chin Huat, an academic specialising in electoral politics.
He noted that the rally has given a boost to the opposition's morale, but the impact on the governing coalition would depend on its response to the rally.
So far, the government has dismissed it as an opposition gimmick.
By Carolyn Hong, Malaysia Bureau Chief
The Straits Times
IT WAS a surreal sight: Bersih protesters in their yellow T-shirts picking up litter in front of the palace after their mass protest for electoral reforms on Saturday.
Especially as Bersih means clean in Malay.
The clean-up was a sure indication that the protest was well-organised. Another sign was the fact that nearly all of the protesters were dressed in yellow - the colour of royalty.
It was clearly not an uprising, so to speak. In that sense, it was very different from the pro-Anwar Ibrahim Reformasi protests that erupted after he was sacked as deputy premier in 1998.
But there were similarities in terms of size. Saturday's protest was huge, whether it involved 10,000 people, according to the police, or 50,000, according to the organisers.
It was easily the largest protest in almost a decade, and it was organised by an opposition-led coalition of political parties and civil society groups called Bersih.
Bersih was formed last year, and its goal is to push for reform of the electoral process, which it says is unfair to the opposition.
On Saturday, protesters handed over a memorandum to the palace demanding reforms, including the abolition of postal votes, ahead of a general election that is widely expected to be called within months.
Observers note that the massive turnout has given a fillip to Datuk Seri Anwar's stature as a leader of the opposition.
Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng believes that Datuk Seri Anwar has, over the last few months, gained some credibility as an opposition force to be reckoned with.
'The rally showed how Anwar's leadership can bring the different opposition forces together,' he said.
The rally was evidently largely organised by the highly effective grassroots network of Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS). Supporters organised the crowd, directed traffic and cleaned up after the event.
But it was Datuk Seri Anwar who addressed the rally before handing over the memorandum to the palace.
The top PAS leaders, along with leaders from the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP), allowed him that highly symbolic role.
Datuk Seri Anwar is an acceptable face to all sides, while PAS is viewed with suspicion by the Chinese, and DAP is mistrusted by the Malays.
He has been striving to be a bridge between the two parties, which are poles apart in their ideologies.
Previous elections have shown that they do not need close collaboration to be effective; they only need to stay out of each other's way.
Right now, there is much euphoria in the opposition camps, although it is hard to say what the massive rally means for a general election.
'It would be wrong to think that it will bring big change in the next election but it would also be wrong to take this as just another political rally,' said Mr Wong Chin Huat, an academic specialising in electoral politics.
He noted that the rally has given a boost to the opposition's morale, but the impact on the governing coalition would depend on its response to the rally.
So far, the government has dismissed it as an opposition gimmick.
12/11: Cops: Don’t attend gathering
KUALA TERENGGANU: Police have warned the people against attending a gathering purportedly to be organised by an opposition party in Batu Buruk on Tuesday.
State police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayub Yaakob said police had not issued any permit for the gathering and those attending it would be committing an offence.
“After looking into all the aspects, the police find the place unsuitable as a venue for the gathering and ceramah,” he told reporters.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, in a statement issued here, said the state government had never prevented anybody including PAS representatives from voicing their opinions or holding gatherings in the state.
“We do not want a recurrence of the incident of Sept 8,” he said. – Bernama
State police chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ayub Yaakob said police had not issued any permit for the gathering and those attending it would be committing an offence.
“After looking into all the aspects, the police find the place unsuitable as a venue for the gathering and ceramah,” he told reporters.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, in a statement issued here, said the state government had never prevented anybody including PAS representatives from voicing their opinions or holding gatherings in the state.
“We do not want a recurrence of the incident of Sept 8,” he said. – Bernama
New Straits Times
IT was a peculiar question hour yesterday as the house skipped almost half of the questions in the order paper because the MPs who posed them and those who were supposed to provide the answers were absent.
In all, 13 questions were left unanswered. The government and opposition blamed each other for the debacle.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz said the absent MPs were irresponsible for giving yesterday’s sitting a miss.
“There is no excuse. Their responsibility is towards the house,” he said in the lobby.
In the house earlier, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang charged it was the government which was being irresponsible as some questions were not answered as no one from the respective ministries was around.
He urged speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib to admonish the government but the latter advised everyone to play their part.
Ramli said MPs should be present if they wanted their questions answered, with the same rule applying to ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Last month, a similar situation arose after many MPs went missing, saying they had to attend the launch of the East Coast Economic Region in Terengganu.
Yesterday, the Sarawak block was empty as most of the MPs from the state stayed back as the prime minister was visiting while members from Sabah, particularly from Parti Bersatu Sabah, appeared to have taken the day off after their party’s congress.
IT was a peculiar question hour yesterday as the house skipped almost half of the questions in the order paper because the MPs who posed them and those who were supposed to provide the answers were absent.
In all, 13 questions were left unanswered. The government and opposition blamed each other for the debacle.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz said the absent MPs were irresponsible for giving yesterday’s sitting a miss.
“There is no excuse. Their responsibility is towards the house,” he said in the lobby.
In the house earlier, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang charged it was the government which was being irresponsible as some questions were not answered as no one from the respective ministries was around.
He urged speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib to admonish the government but the latter advised everyone to play their part.
Ramli said MPs should be present if they wanted their questions answered, with the same rule applying to ministers, deputy ministers and parliamentary secretaries.
Last month, a similar situation arose after many MPs went missing, saying they had to attend the launch of the East Coast Economic Region in Terengganu.
Yesterday, the Sarawak block was empty as most of the MPs from the state stayed back as the prime minister was visiting while members from Sabah, particularly from Parti Bersatu Sabah, appeared to have taken the day off after their party’s congress.