PAS MP Tuan Ibrahim said “Top Leaders Can’t Even Ask Questions” in his attempt to come to the defence of the always absence PN trio during the Prime Minister Question Time (PMQT).
It is true that only the MPs that have submitted questions earlier had the opportunity to ask question. It is also true that not everyone can ask question during PMQT.
However there is difference between “top leaders can’t ask questions” and “top leaders didn’t ask questions”.
When PN complaint of their top trio have no chance to ask question, the first question they should answer is, did PN top’s trio ever submitted any questions for PMQT?
There will be no question to be chosen for answer if there is no question submitted. Simple logic.
Furthermore, the parliamentary process is, even if you don’t submit any questions, or your questions are not chosen, you still have the chance to stand up and ask second supplementary question, or even the third supplementary question if allowed by the Speaker.
Both sides of the House will be given equal opportunity to ask Supplementary questions.
For the first question of PMQT during the final day of last sitting, the Speaker had even allowed a fourth supplementary question be asked. That was on the question relating PM’s China visit.
It is also the Parliamentary convention that if the Opposition Leader is to stand up and request to speak, or in this case to ask supplementary question, he will be given the first priority.
The same goes to those who are Party’s senior leaders.
The PN trio fall into these category.
However, when you are not there in the Chamber, you definitely have no chance to ask supplementary question, no matter how senior are you. Simple logic.
PMX has attended 7 PMQTs out of the 8 weeks sitting which just ended recently. More than 60 questions (including Supplementary questions) from both sides of the house were answered. The PN trio has plenty of opportunity to ask question, of course provided only if they are physically present in the House.
We are expecting the opposition to be better, but they are not.