He said this will avoid a recurrence of yesterday’s incident where the Dewan Rakyat proceedings were interrupted by the lack of a quorum.

The bell had to be rung twice for MPs outside the hall to return for the sittting to continue.

Khalid said at present all PH component parties had their respective chief whips, adding that the election of a backbencher leader would coordinate the activities of MPs.

He said the selection of the backbencher leader was still at the discussion stage and would only be finalised at the next meeting of the PH Presidential Council.

“For the time being, I feel all the PH chief whips can discuss selecting a leader from among them until the next Presidential Council meeting is held.

“The PH Presidential Council will only meet in about a month. As such, a temporary arrangement is necessary,” he said when approached by reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby today.

The lack of quorum yesterday drew the attention of former Cabinet minister Rais Yatim who said the best way to overcome the problem was by deducting MPs’ monthly allowances, based on a rate to be determined by a Parliamentary Select Committee.

He also suggested the names of MPs described as “lazy” to be exposed in the press and social media.