SKIVING MPs who slip away at lunchtime and fail to reappear for the afternoon parliamentary session are set to face tough sanctions.
The pledge was made yesterday by Acting Speaker Ali Al Zayed who said that the situation of vanishing representatives deciding to ‘flee’ the National Assembly Complex was disgraceful.
“Parliament’s bylaws will be exercised in regard to attendance without hesitation,” he warned.
“MPs may get upset but the situation has become untenable.
“Everyone here took an oath yet, due to this irresponsible behaviour, many topics are having to be postponed because the number present in the chamber is lower than the set quorum allowed to continue with business.
“We will be taking note of MPs’ activities during future sessions and we will react against those who are not excused to leave on official business, due to sickness or on urgent family matters.”
Parliament Bahrainisation Committee chairman Ebrahim Al Nefaei said MPs must face the consequences for their disappearing acts.
“Disciplinary measures should be taken whether it means pay deductions or suspension without pay,” he said.
“This irresponsible behaviour has gone on for far too long.”
Under the 2002 Parliament Bylaws Law, MPs should be deducted BD250 for any session they miss or leave without a valid reason or excuse.
The rule was exercised by former Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Mulla against 12 MPs during an earlier term.
Parliament’s session ended prematurely for the past two consecutive weeks. This brought the number of sessions to end prematurely to 24 since the current Parliament started work in December 2018.
Parliament Speaker Fouzia Zainal and first vice-chairman Abdulnabi Salman are attending an official event in Spain.
Meanwhile, several MPs wore Palestinian scarves in protest over expansions to Israeli settlements.
MP Mamdooh Al Saleh wanted to open the issue for debate but was asked to postpone it until the end of the session. However, it reached the 3pm health deadline and scheduled topics were postponed for another day.
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