PUTRAJAYA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib has met Wangsa Maju MP Zahir Hassan and provided a detailed written reply to his third oral question in the Dewan Rakyat today.
This followed the absence of a Health Ministry (MoH) representative during the question-and-answer session at today's Dewan Rakyat sitting.
In a statement, MoH explained that Hanifah Hajar was unable to enter the Dewan Rakyat in time for the third question due to a sudden change in the order of business. She was also outside the chamber holding final discussions with ministry officers in preparation for answering the question.
“However, the second question had to be postponed at the last minute following a delay by Kepala Batas MP Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad, who was scheduled to ask it.
“The delay caused the order of business to move abruptly to the third question. This sudden change in proceedings was the main reason the deputy minister was unable to enter the chamber in time,” the ministry said.
MoH said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad was also unable to be present in the Dewan Rakyat as he was engaged in official duties outside the area.
“He was attending the handover ceremony for the Letter of Acceptance (SST) for the construction of the Women and Children’s Block at Melaka Hospital today,” the ministry said, while apologising for the technical inconvenience.
The ministry also said it continued to uphold the dignity of Parliament and respect the rights of all members of parliament.
According to the Dewan Rakyat Order Paper, Zahir had asked whether MoH planned to increase primary healthcare capacity, including through the construction or upgrading of health clinics in Wangsa Maju, which is Malaysia’s most densely populated parliamentary constituency, with 14,059 people per square kilometre.
-- BERNAMA