KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah and Sarawak issues took centre stage during the three-week long Dewan Rakyat sitting which ended today.
Based on Bernama’s analysis, out of the 205 matters that were discussed on the two states, infrastructure covered 24 per cent, security (16 per cent), finance (14 per cent), education (13 per cent) and health (nine per cent).
Generally the MPs who discussed these matters wanted the federal
government’s commitment to continue bringing the agenda of basic infrastructure development such as roads, water and electricity suuply, education, health and Internet coverage to the rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak to raise the people’s socio-economic standard.
Bernama’s observation found that MPs from both states were very active in voicing the hopes and aspirations of the people they represented at the sitting which began on March 9.
Issues on security raised related to security aspects at the border,
including intrusions by militants and influx of illegal immigrants.
Besides these, the devastating floods that affected the country in December last year also drew the attention of MPs.
About 160 queries related to floods were submitted with the bulk coming from UMNO MPs followed by PAS, DAP and PKR.
The focus of discussions on the floods included flood aid distribution, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines, flood management and federal government planning in helping flood recovery in the affected states.
Most of the queries were directed at the Prime Minister, Natural Resources and Environment Minister, Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, Health Minister and Rural and Regional Development Minister.
Issues on cyber crimes, social media abuse and matters pertaining to
sedition also sparked the discussions of elected representatives from both sides of the divide.
Generally, MPs rom Umno were found to be the most active in
participating in the discussions, followed closely by those from the DAP, PKR, PAS and Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).
It was also revealed that most number of questions submitted at this session were directed at the Prime Minister with 569 out of 2,370 questions, followed by Finance Minister (241), Home Minister (227), Education Minister (167) and Health Minister (128). -Bernama