KUALA LUMPUR: A motion to discuss flood mitigation measures in Parliament by Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muda-Muar) was rejected by Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul on Tuesday (Dec 20).
According to Johari, this was because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, said Putrajaya had already taken immediate action to help flood victims.
“As mentioned just now, action has been taken and a big allocation is being prepared to assist flood victims.
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“Therefore, I think this is consistent with what you (Syed Saddiq) are thinking,” Johari said.
Earlier, Syed Saddiq pointed out that he filed a motion under Standing Order 18 to debate the flood issue affecting the east coast.
“Five minutes ago, I got a reply from the Speaker that this issue was rejected due to time constraints,” said Syed Saddiq.
According to the MP, a similar motion was filed when Anwar was the Opposition leader last year and there were time constraints cited at the time too.
“But, because it was a pressing national issue and even though it wasn’t debated in Parliament, the Speaker used Standing Order 16(1) to allow it to be debated in the Special Chambers.
“This is an important issue as more than 40,000 families have been affected by the floods and the Meteorological Department predicted that millions could be hit," he said.
Among the states affected by floods this year are Terengganu, Kelantan, Pahang, Johor and Perak.
