Health minister, deputy questioned over absence from parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Several opposition members of parliament today questioned the absence of the Health Minister and his deputy during the Dewan Rakyat's oral question-and-answer session.

The issue arose when the Health Ministry was scheduled to answer Question 3, filed by Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju), on plans to expand primary healthcare capacity, including through the construction or upgrading of health clinics in his constituency.

Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau informed the House that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib were both absent.

"Question 3, the minister and deputy minister are not in the chamber," she said.

Zahir then stood up to ask whether he could pose his question if either minister arrived later, but Lau said he could not.

Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) subsequently interjected, saying such a situation had never happened before.

"This has never happened before," she said.

Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) also called for the matter to be recorded.

"This must be recorded. It has never happened before that neither the minister nor deputy minister is present in the House to answer questions," he said.

Mas Ermieyati then questioned the ministers' absence, saying it showed a lack of respect for the House and MPs who had prepared to ask their questions.

"The minister and deputy minister are absent. This is disrespectful to the House and to fellow MPs who have prepared themselves," she said.

Lau then proceeded to Question 4, which was scheduled to be asked by Wan Saiful.