PARLIAMENT has denied the opposition’s request to debate the issue of price hikes in the house’s main chamber.

Instead, the special chamber has been given the issue, which is a currently a hot topic in the country.

The special chamber, created during a parliamentary reform six years ago, aims to ensure Putrajaya will debate and answer all MP-filed emergency motions without disrupting proceedings in the main chamber.

“The debate can be held in the special chamber at 2.30pm today,” Deputy Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon told the Dewan Rakyat after the question-and-answer session this morning.

He was responding to Salahuddin Ayub’s (Pulai-PH) motion to debate the issue in Parliament.

The Batu Pahat MP’s decision did not sit well with opposition lawmakers, who wanted the debate to be held in the main chamber.

“If the debate is held in the special chambers, the only ministry that will attend is the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry,” said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“As such, we will likely get the same answer as given by minister Alexander Nanta Linggi (Kapit-GPS) to Parliament on Tuesday. What is the point then?”

Nanta confirmed that he will give the same response if the issue is debated in the special chambers.

Anwar said the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry should not be the only ministry to handle the issue of price hikes, as three other ministries should also be involved.

“If this issue is debated here… relevant ministries such as the Finance Ministry, Economic Affairs Ministry and Agriculture and Food Industries Ministry can also take part.”

This sudden increase in food prices has made it an important issue to be openly debated in Parliament, he added.

However, Rashid stood his ground and refused to allow the issue to be debated in the main chamber. – December 2, 2021.