House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha urged Cabinet members today, including the prime minister, to allocate time on Thursdays to respond to verbal interpellations raised by the Opposition.
He stated that ignoring these motions not only wastes parliament’s time, but also that of the people.
He further advised the Opposition to direct their questions to the relevant ministers, rather than only to the prime minister.
Wan Noor raised the issue during a parliamentary session today, at which no Cabinet members were present to respond to verbal interpellations.
“The interpolation motions are filed for the benefit of the people. I understand that the government has a lot of work, but the session is only held on Thursdays, from 10am to 1pm. The government should spare time for parliament,” he said.
He emphasised that the Opposition s should direct the motions to the ministers concerned.
Pakornwut Udompipatskul, the Opposition leader and leader of the People’s Party, told the chamber that the interpellations had been submitted to the government two or three days in advance, adding that “the motions we raised were specifically for the prime minister. We submitted five motions, but no one from the government attended this session.”
Chief government whip Wisut Chainaroon apologised for the absence of government representatives and assured the House that he will do his best to convince the prime minister and cabinet members to attend the Thursday parliamentary session next week.
