Parlimen Bersidang

PM to answer first question live on TV

NST Online
April 25, 2008
By : V. Vasudevan

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will answer the first question when the Dewan Rakyat's historic live telecast of "Question Hour" begins on Wednesday.

And the honour of asking the question goes to Razali Ibrahim, the Barisan Nasional's MP for Muar.

Razali's question will be on the government's new approach towards improving the quality of life of the people, especially in strengthening their purchasing power, public security and ethnic integration.

Abdullah will take the floor again for question three and question five.

Question three will be from the new opposition leader, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and it is directed at Abdullah as the finance minister.

Her question will be on the finance minister's commitment on the implementation of open tenders which he had made after 100 days in office.

Question five will come from the former opposition leader, Lim Kit Siang, of DAP, the MP for Ipoh Timur.

Lim will ask the prime minister to outline the 10 steps the government will take in its quest for renewal and reform over the next 12 months.

Details of the first day's questions, and the questions which will be asked daily, have been sent to the 222 MPs since Monday.

The House reserves the right to change the order of the questions. This is usually done at the request of the government.

Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lun said yesterday he had received his copy of questions for the 14-day sitting on Monday.

"There are 72 questions for the first day's sitting.

"My question is the second question on May 22 and if the order is not changed, I will be asking it live on television," he said.

Fong said the current session is for 14 days and not all the MPs would be able to field questions during the 30- minute live telecast segment.

On the average, the House deals with 10 questions a day during "Question Hour". Those left unanswered will be given written replies.