Jamaat MP criticises ministers' absence during budget session

Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Md Saiful Alam Khan Milon has expressed frustration over the absence of several key ministers from parliament during the ongoing budget session, drawing particular attention to vacant seats reserved for the health and home ministers.

He raised the issue on a point of order during today's (22 June) parliamentary sitting and requested the speaker's intervention to ensure ministers attend the session.

"We come here after preparing extensively. Members from both the treasury and opposition benches take part in discussions. But the health minister is not here, the home minister is not here, and many other ministers are absent. Their seats are empty," Milon said.

Responding to the concern, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said he would like to see greater ministerial participation in parliamentary proceedings.

"We want to see more ministers present in the house. At least the finance minister is here. However, we request other ministers as well to attend. The budget session is a very important session, and we would be grateful if they remained present," he said.

Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni later took the floor and acknowledged that ministers are often occupied with official responsibilities but said their presence in parliament is important.

He noted that the finance minister has remained present throughout the budget session because he is responsible for responding to all budget-related discussions.

"Whether members speak about health, power, policing or legal affairs, ultimately the finance minister responds to those issues from a budgetary perspective. That is why he remains present," Moni said.

The chief whip also said the local government minister regularly attends parliament and expressed hope that other ministers would do the same.

"I hope ministers who are often absent will attend the house, listen carefully to the views of both treasury and opposition members, and play a proactive role in resolving the issues raised," he added.

At one stage, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said that before criticising ministers' absence, the opposition lawmaker should also consider attendance on his own side of the House.

"The opposition member said our ministers are absent. That's fine. But before saying that, he could also have noted that neither the leader nor the deputy leader of the opposition is present today," he said.

In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad remarked that while it is desirable for all members to attend parliamentary proceedings, ministers' presence is particularly important.

"It is not a problem if the opposition leader is absent, but ministers should be present. Still, for the sake of maintaining the dignity of parliament, everyone's attendance is desirable," he said.