Ariff was of the view that when debates go on until late, it would definitely not be possible to have 100% attendance.

“Everyone understands. Ministers have their own affairs to attend to in their offices.

“We are not like the Australian Parliament. Everyone is in one building and the ministry is probably just next door. The Parliament building is right in the middle and they can come to Parliament as fast as possible.

“Here, our ministers’ offices are in Putrajaya and they have other matters to attend to. We must think of this,” he told reporters after the launching of a book at Parliament building today.

Ariff was asked to comment on remarks by Awang Hashim (PAS-Pendang), who had voiced concern over the low attendance of MPs in the lower house.

Former prime minister Najib Razak had also raised the issue of an empty house as he debated the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan yesterday.

Ariff stated that at times, the house would be full and, at other times, there would be fewer people. He said this was the same with Parliaments in other countries.

“If proceedings go on until midnight, you don’t expect there to be 222 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, do you?

“So long as there is enough quorum, that is sufficient. This is because what is debated in Parliament will be recorded in the Hansard,” he said, adding that what was more important was the issue raised, not the numbers.

On Awang’s call for a review of the allowances of lawmakers who fail to attend parliamentary proceedings with no valid reasons, Ariff said this was too drastic a move.

According to Standing Order 13(1), at least 26 MPs was be present during Dewan Rakyat proceedings.