Perak MB open to idea of an 'assemblymen meeting'

By Zahratulhayat Mat Arif - March 15, 2021 @ 11:20am

IPOH: Perak Menteri Besar will consider the idea of the state opposition holding a meeting with all 59 state assemblymen to replace the state assembly sitting that can't be held during the Emergency.

Datuk Saarani Mohamad said the meeting was crucial as everyone needs to know the current state financial status, tax collection and the status of state expenditure.

"If all 59 state assemblymen can attend...and as a menteri besar, I can brief them on what we have done and what we will do including to discuss about the state government's Blue Print this (March) 29.

"We want to hear all 59 state assemblymen's response. By having this meeting, we can improve our performance," he said after attending the Public Works Department's (JKR) vote drawing session at the Perak Darul Ridzuan building's banquet hall, here, today.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

• Ahmad Faizal, Perak Excos resign

• Perak allocation boost to serve people better

• Annuar unhappy over Perak political development

• Perak MB: State govt will continue focus on people's welfare [NSTTV]

He said it was not necessary to have a debate session during the meeting because it was not the state assembly sitting but a normal meeting.

"It can be held at the Casuarina Hotel or the Dewan Bankuet here, as long as the space for all state assemblymen to speak and response are there.

"However this matter needs to be discussed with the state legal advisors because we don't want people to misinterpret that we are having an illegal state assembly sitting.

"It is not necessary to call for the Speaker to start the meeting because people might twist or it may spark misunderstanding as if it was the Speaker who called for the meeting," he said.

As such, Saarani added the meeting could be held at the invitation of the Menteri Besar's Office or State Government Council (MMK).

Yesterday, Perak Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) chairman Datuk Asmuni Awi proposed that such a meeting be held without adopting the official rules of the State Assembly Legislative Sitting such as the use of the "cokmar" (mace) and others.

Asmuni said he would submit the proposal to the state Speaker, Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid.