An MP has submitted an official letter to Parliament Speaker Fouzia Zainal demanding that MPs submit a written request in future if they wish to leave a session or committee meeting for ‘urgent matters’.
The move follows Parliament staging the shortest session of this term today because not enough MPs returned after Dhohr prayers to carry on the scheduled business of the day.
Ebrahim Al Nefaei said: "The reoccurring disappearances following Dhohr and Asr prayers by MPs is giving the wrong impression to the public.
"It is also unfair on the MPs who are punctual and remain ready to continue with the matters at hand.
"What is happening is harming the national interest as many important topics are left in limbo.
"In line with Parliament by-laws for anyone to get excused, they should present, in writing a request with a valid reason for leaving."
The required quorum for any session to go ahead is 21 out of 40 MPs. Only 18 bothered to sign in the online session today after prayers.
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