PM Says BN MPs Free To Debate Oil Price Increase

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) - Barisan Nasional (BN) Members of Parliament are free to raise any issues concerning the people, especially the effects of the recent oil price increase, in Parliament, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

"They want to be given the opportunity to air several problems faced by their constituents that have to do with the oil price increase.

"I have allowed their questions to be submitted," he told reporters after chairing the traditional pre-council meeting with BN MPs and Senators, here Monday.

The Dewan Rakyat will begin its meeting Tuesday after the official opening of the new parliamentary session by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalalullail, Monday.

The King, in his address, also touched on the issue.

The Prime Minister said the BN representatives had raised the issue of the oil price increase during the meeting and gave suggestions on the best actions to take to alleviate the burden on the people.

"They gave specific suggestions on what needs to be done and that is commendable. It means they are concerned about the problems faced by the people," he said.

Abdullah said BN MPs also did not face problems in explaining to the people why the government had to raise the prices of petrol, diesel and cooking gas.

He reiterated the government's pledge that the RM4.4 billion saved in oil products subsidies as a result of the fuel price increase would be used to improve public transport.

Meanwhile, the current meeting of Parliament, which was scheduled to end on May 4, has been extended by four days to allow more time to debate four key bills.

These include the Water Services Industry Bill and the National Water Services Commission Bill which are aimed at revamping the country's water supply structure. The other two bills concerned amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.

-- BERNAMA

Archive

PM Says BN MPs Free To Debate Oil Price Increase

RELATED ARTICLES

PRESS RELEASE : TERRORIST ATTACK IN KABUL@SIARAN AKBAR : SERANGAN PENGGANAS DI KABUL

PRESS RELEASE : CURRENT DEVELOPMENT IN YEMEN@ SIARAN AKBAR : PERKEMBANGAN SEMASA DI YAMAN

PRESS RELEASE : DETENTION OF A MALAYSIAN IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)@ SIARAN AKBAR : PENAHANAN WARGANEGARA MALAYSIA DI EMIRIAH ARAB BERSATU (UAE)