MARANG: Members of Parliament's (MP) attendance at Dewan Rakyat sessions cannot be compared with students attending schools because of the differences in systems and processes.
Pas President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said most people could not understand the role MPs play, which was not as straightforward as it may seem.
Hadi said that besides serving as Marang MP for three terms since the 12th General Election, he was also Malaysia's Special Envoy to the Middle East, and juggling between these two roles had placed limits on his time in the Dewan Rakyat.
The former Terengganu Menteri Besar, who is defending the Marang parliamentary seat, said he was confident that the issues played up by the opposition in GE15 will not affect voter backing for him.
"I have duties in Parliament and also have to attend to other special tasks. Being in Parliament is not like being in school, people don't understand that.
"Ministers don't just sit and wait, they answer questions and when they are done, they will carry out their duties outside. People who don't have duties outside can wait," he said.
He said this when met by reporters after delivering his weekly lecture in Rusila here today.
Hadi said his absence in the lower house of Parliament also provided young leaders from his party the opportunity to take part in the debate session because each party had its own quota.
"I have been in Parliament for a long time. I have spoken at many sessions, argued, and now I am giving the opportunity to new MPs to take part in debates."
He said he was pleased by the large number of Pas members who took part in such debates.
Previously, a portal reported that Hadi allegedly recorded the lowest Dewan Rakyat attendance by only attending 21 of the 71 sessions.