Minister gives unprecedented second reply to same question
The Star (10/7/08): Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop made history in the Malaysian parliament after he became the first Cabinet member to return to the House to deliver a reply for a second time.
The minister, who had replied to points raised on his portfolio on Tuesday, had to return due to “popular demand” from MPs, including Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN - Batu Pahat), Azmin Ali (PKR - Gombak) and Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS - Shah Alam).
Nor Mohamed's move, which was allowed by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, was heckled by other MPs.
He started off his reply this time around by saying that he was willing to come back and explain the Government’s policies and also listen to suggestions and criticisms.
However, Nor Mohamed said he also did not want to create a precedent with his appearance for the second time in the House, noting that 19 other ministers were supposed to present speeches after him.
Later in the lobby, Nor Mohamed denied that his first reply had been inadequate, forcing his return.
“My answer on Tuesday was adequate. Just that there wasn’t enough time,” he said.
Earlier, Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN - Sri Gading) complained to Pandikar Amin that Nor Mohamed’s return disrupted the Dewan’s schedule and that replies from other ministries should have been given priority.
Pandikar Amin said Nor Mohamed wrote to the Dewan secretary to say that he was willing to come back and reply again.
“There is nothing to stop him from coming back and continuing with his answer. I didn’t make a ruling to call him back. It was what some of the MPs wanted.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur) said this was the first time a minister had returned to the house to reply for a second time.
The minister, who had replied to points raised on his portfolio on Tuesday, had to return due to “popular demand” from MPs, including Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN - Batu Pahat), Azmin Ali (PKR - Gombak) and Khalid Abdul Samad (PAS - Shah Alam).
Nor Mohamed's move, which was allowed by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, was heckled by other MPs.
He started off his reply this time around by saying that he was willing to come back and explain the Government’s policies and also listen to suggestions and criticisms.
However, Nor Mohamed said he also did not want to create a precedent with his appearance for the second time in the House, noting that 19 other ministers were supposed to present speeches after him.
Later in the lobby, Nor Mohamed denied that his first reply had been inadequate, forcing his return.
“My answer on Tuesday was adequate. Just that there wasn’t enough time,” he said.
Earlier, Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN - Sri Gading) complained to Pandikar Amin that Nor Mohamed’s return disrupted the Dewan’s schedule and that replies from other ministries should have been given priority.
Pandikar Amin said Nor Mohamed wrote to the Dewan secretary to say that he was willing to come back and reply again.
“There is nothing to stop him from coming back and continuing with his answer. I didn’t make a ruling to call him back. It was what some of the MPs wanted.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP - Ipoh Timur) said this was the first time a minister had returned to the house to reply for a second time.
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