'Skipping Dewan, PMQT disrespects people’s mandate, but won’t affect support’

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – The absence of three top Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders from all of the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) sessions in Parliament can be viewed as a sign of disrespect to their voters’ mandate, political observers said. 

However, this and the opposition coalition’s parliamentary performance to date – described by one analyst as populist and deliberately disruptive – will do little to sway public support, thanks to their staunch and highly partisan supporters.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia academician Kartini Aboo Talib said while Dewan Rakyat absenteeism can be perceived as passive resistance against the government – a move some Pakatan Harapan lawmakers have previously been guilty of – it still sends the wrong message to voters.

“To be fair to the people who elected them, their action of missing parliamentary meetings reflects their inability to carry out their duties or can be seen as a breach of the people’s trust,” she told The Vibes.

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