Tempers flare during first day of Parliament sitting

The unusually high temperature of the country's political climate was in full display, even during the first hour of the Parliament sitting which began today.

Things came to a head during the fourth question posed by Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban) regarding the amount of Goods and Services Tax (GST) collected by the government since its implementation last April, and how it will be utilised.

Responding to the question, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Chua Tee Yong (BN-Labis) said the details on the amount and its utilisation will only be revealed at a later session.

Clearly aggravated, Loke stood up and questioned why the Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (BN-Pekan) did not answer the question himself despite being in attendance at the sitting.

A lot of jeers greeted his statement from Members of Parliament of the ruling government while the Opposition MPs clapped in support.

At this juncture, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said it had already been determined that the Minister in question must not necessarily answer to questions posed by other MPs.

"Whatever the answer is, it is still an official answer from the Government whether it is read by the Minister or a Deputy Minister," said Pandikar.

Replying to Pandikar Amin's statement, Loke said he was in admiration of the former's effort in reforming Parliament but he believed an important question must be answered by the Minister in charge.

At this point, a clearly exasperated Pandikar Amin urged Loke to sit down and to stop dragging him into the argument.

"Do not involve me in this. Do not politicise this. You already know it is an established convention that the Minister or his deputy can answer oral questions," warned Pandikar Amin.

Loke then tried to request for another question but was denied by the Speaker.

The sitting resumed.