KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun has categorically denied allegations by several parliamentarians and political party leaders that he rejected a motion to debate the flood crisis in Parliament on Monday.
Azhar, in a statement today, said no members of parliament (MP) had proposed a motion to debate the matter last Monday.
"The only agenda in the Order Paper for that day was tabling of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Bill 2021 (for second and third readings).
"For urgent matters that require immediate deliberation, a motion should be proposed under Standing Order 18(1) one day prior.
"In regards to the flood crisis, the MPs could have given me a notice through WhatsApp or via other channels one day before Dec 20.
"In fact, a written motion could have been submitted to me on the morning of Dec 20. But, none of the MPs did so," he said.
Azhar also raised three arguments to stress the need to file a motion before matters could be debated in the august house.
"Firstly, I have to present the problem that needs to be debated and answered by the minister to the House before calling for a debate. Without a motion, what problem do I present for the debate?
"Secondly, a motion is required so that the minister can make preparations to answer matters that will be raised during the debate. Without a motion, how can the ministry or minister prepare to answer the questions? In fact, how do we decide on which minister or ministry must be present to answer the questions?
"Thirdly, a motion is needed to ensure the issue can be debated in a smooth and orderly manner. This will curb the MPs from bringing up irrelevant matters while debating the problem stated in the motion," he said.
Citing the Standing Orders, Azhar also defended his decision to refuse Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng from seeking clarifications about the floods from the minister.
"There are no procedures under the Standing Orders that allows an MP to seek clarifications from a minister. The MPs are only entitled to give questions for the oral question-and-answer sessions.
"However, no questions from any MPs were scheduled for the oral question-and-answer sessions to the minister on that particular day.
"I am not curtailing the rights of MPs to debate important and pressing matters. However, the dignity the Dewan Rakyat should not be compromised by making it a "coffee house" to raise any issues without adherence to the Standing Orders.
"The allegations levelled against me are politically motivated and I will not fall for these endless political games," he said.