THE finance minister or one of his two deputies should be present in Parliament during the debate on Budget 2021, said Azalina Othman Said.
The Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker said she agreed with RSN Rayer (Jelutong-DAP) who had demanded to know where the finance minister or his deputies were during the sessions.
He had said even if the minister could not attend proceedings, his two deputies should have been present to hear out the MPs’ views on Budget 2021.
“I agree with what Rayer said earlier and I believe either the finance minister (Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz) or his deputies should be here to listen to the budget debates.
“I know everyone is busy but the budget is an important issue. Yet, I don’t see any ministers here,” said Azalina at the end of today’s meeting.
The deputy finance ministers are Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat-Bersatu) and Mohd Shahar Abdullah (Paya Besar-BN).
Although, Rayer had similarly raised the issue with Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, his concerns were brushed aside.
“There is no rule in the Standing Orders to require the minister or his deputy to attend the budget debate,” said Azhar.
But Azalina, who was twice a former minister under the Barisan Nasional government, said it was appropriate for the finance minister or one of his deputies to attend the debates.
“The backbenchers should convey this to them,” said Azalina. – November 11, 2020.
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