KUALA LUMPUR: MPs are allowed to debate speech points not read by the Prime Minister during the Budget 2025 tabling last Friday (Oct 18), according to Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor.
Ramli stated that the complete speech text had been provided to MPs on their desks.
"Even though the Prime Minister did not mention them, I permit these points to be questioned.
"Members who wish to discuss matters not mentioned by the Finance Minister can do so and these will be addressed during his winding-up speech," he said
However, Ramli noted that his decision is open to appeal by MPs to the Speaker, Johari Abdul.
Opposition Chief Whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan from Perikatan Nasional, representing Kota Bharu, tabled a motion to clarify whether MPs can discuss points written in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Budget 2025 speech but not read aloud.
He referred to Order 10 (1) of the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, stating that all spoken content in Parliament must be recorded in the Hansard.
Takiyuddin highlighted that point number 255 in Anwar's speech was omitted and thus not in the Hansard.
"My question is whether the unread parts, which will not be part of the Hansard, can be debated by Parliament members," he asked.
"I believe guidance should be provided by the Honourable Speaker. We cannot wait for the Speaker as the Leader of the Opposition will speak next," he added.
The point not mentioned by Anwar in the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 18) was the government's plan to introduce a law allowing house arrest as an alternative sentence for certain offences. Offenders would be required to stay in designated detention locations, such as residential homes, care facilities, or workers’ dormitories, throughout their detention period.
