Resign, PN MP says after deputy minister draws blank in Dewan

An MP from Perikatan Nasional today urged Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying to resign for failing to prepare an answer during the oral question-and-answer session in the Dewan Rakyat.

Pengkalan Chepa MP Ahmad Marzuk Shaary said such a thing had never happened in the history of the House, adding that it reflected badly on the government. 

He said Lim's inability to answer also made it appear as if she had never set foot in her office or joined ministry meetings. 

Marzuk said that answers by ministers or deputy ministers should be prepared at least two weeks in advance. 

"A deputy minister should come prepared, not just fill a seat in the government bloc," he said in a press conference at the Parliament building.

"He or she should be able to answer additional questions, otherwise I think it is a waste for the government to pay them for not doing their duty." 

Lim, the sister of DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng, had replaced Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek who was not present in the Dewan Rakyat today. 

She was asked by Marzuk about allocations for the special programme and food monitoring mechanism to provide nutritious meals for students. 

However, the Tanjong MP told the Dewan Rakyat that she had not prepared an answer, and asked to submit a written reply. 

She was reprimanded by deputy speaker Ramli Mohd Nor, who told the government bloc not to allow a repeat of the matter. 

"As a deputy minister, this should not have happened," he said. 

"I hope that the government bloc takes note of this. It gives rise to a negative scenario for the government." 

Lim then apologised and promised that the matter would not happen again.