KUALA LUMPUR: Criticised for not being effective opposition, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Perikatan Nasional allies have pledged to enhance check and balance against the unity government during this year's parliamentary session.
The first meeting of the parliamentary sitting that will convene for 69 days starting tomorrow will likely see heated debate as the PN shadow cabinet is expected to grill the federal administration for answers on several issues.
Matters that will likely take centre stage during this session of the parliamentary sitting include the weakening of the ringgit, the kerfuffle in communication among ministries and agencies over single grade white rice and recent demotion of Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board (Tourism Malaysia) former director-general Datuk Dr Ammar Abd Ghapar.
Bersatu Youth chief and Machang member of Parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal promised that PN will be a "more effective" opposition this session.
"I know that the people were quite unhappy with our performance last year.
"Except for a few who were vocal when championing issues concerning the people, most of the MPs are new (first time appointed as MPs).
"Having that said, we are aware that the people want us to be more rigorous this time around. So we will try to live up to that expectation," he said.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal is the head of PN foreign affairs portfolio in the opposition's shadow cabinet, a position he has been holding since last year.
On the issues that are expected to be raised by the opposition during the parliamentary sitting, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said most of them are "rice bowl" matters.
He claimed that the government, after more than a year, had failed to manage issues concerning the welfare and the livelihood of the people.
"The cost of living is continuing to rise ... Compounding the situation is the conflicting statements issued by ministers on our investment.
He said the opposition wanted to ensure that the public get accurate facts on the wellbeing of the economy.
"The people who are in power can lie to the media but not in Parliament. They (ministers) cannot spin their statements (in their favour) or withhold information. It is wrong if they do so," he said.
Pas central executive member and Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim wants the government, especially the Finance Minister, to seriously look into the weakening currency.
The government, he said, should focus on fixing the issue instead of blaming the situation on legacy issues such as old debts inherited from past administrations, the scandal surrounding the 1Malaysia Development Bhd or the high deficit rate.
"The people and investors want to see a concrete solution to the situation from the government. As citizen of this country as well as consumers, we will certainly not celebrate when our currency is depreciating (in value against the US dollar and Singaporean currency).
"In fact, we are increasingly concerned about this situation as it will further strain the cost of living for the people this year.
In a statement, he said the public expects the government to implement serious measures to protect the currency's value from declining further.
The former deputy human resources minister is the head of PN human resources portfolio.
Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Shamsudin of Bersatu expressed her concern on the issue surrounding Tourism director-general's position following the demotion of Ammar to another post.
Speaking based on her experience as the former deputy tourism minister, Mas Ermieyati described Ammar as someone with vast experience and is an asset to the country's tourism industry.
"He is a person who is dedicated in executing his duties and responsibilities. He is committed to boosting the country's tourism sector.
"The government, therefore, must be serious in upholding justice and good governance by carrying investigation
and addressing the concern raised by several quarters over the matter," said Mas Ermieyati, who is the head of PN tourism portfolio.
Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing on Saturday denied that Ammar was removed from the position.
Ammar, said Tiong, was instead demoted to deputy director-general due to non-performance.
Mas Ermieyati, Awang and Wan Fahysal are among the 21 opposition MPs sitting in the new line-up in the PN heads of portfolios, dubbed by political observers as PN shadow cabinet.