KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said it is not practical for members of the Cabinet to be in the Dewan Rakyat at all times as they are already stretched with their ministerial duties.
“They must attend to those duties because Parliament sittings last almost the whole day. People can work 20 days, but for parliamentary sittings, they cannot work. That’s not practical.
“They need to attend to their bureaucratic work as well,” he said, amid reports of empty seats on the backbenchers’ side during Dewan Rakyat sessions.
Mahathir, saying MPs should have a good excuse for not attending Dewan Rakyat sessions, said he was was also not satisfied with his own attendance.
“I am already stretching my time for as long as possible. I’m working 24 hours a day.
“If you can find me more time in a day, 36 hours perhaps? I will also work for 36 hours,” he said.