Lim Swee Kuan, who is Hui Ying’s special duties officer, said it was “something out of the ordinary” and apologised for the incident.

She said the typical process of preparing responses was based on the maximum number of questions that could be answered by all ministries during ministers’ questions time, which was usually between 11 and 13 questions in 90 minutes.

“We prepared detailed answers for three questions, which were questions four, eight and 11. The deputy minister answered all three questions in the House,” she said in a statement.

Swee Kuan said question 16, which was submitted by Perikatan Nasional’s Ahmad Marzuk Shaary, had been “unexpected”.

“We will take more proactive measures to prevent this from happening again,” she said.

Earlier, deputy speaker Ramli Nor reprimanded Hui Ying for her failure to prepare a response to Marzuk’s question.

Ramli said the incident should not have happened and expressed hope that the government will take note of this.

Opposition MPs voiced their protest when Hui Ying told the House she had yet to prepare a response.

Marzuk, the Pengkalan Chepa MP, had asked about the education ministry’s plans to ensure students received nutritious meals in school.

Hui Ying apologised and said she would not repeat her mistake.