KUALA LUMPUR (July 13): Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raised the question of why the Prihatin Rakyat Economic Stimulus Package and National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) were not tabled in Parliament first before they were executed.

During the minister question and answer session today, the Port Dickson Member of Parliament (MP) asked why the debate on the matter was blocked, while the "GLC (government-linked company) appointments went through".

In response, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he had expected this particular question to be asked, explaining that Covid-19 had severe social and economical impact and therefore action had to be taken immediately.

"The rakyat understood that the situation was dire. The government did not have a choice and action needed to be taken. The finance minister will be tabling it in whole today," he said.

"The rakyat was waiting for the government to take action and we cannot keep the rakyat waiting. Business declined and institutions were falling. The government's responsibility is to ensure the well-being of the rakyat," added Muhyiddin.

The prime minister said the unemployment rate is expected to rise to 5.5% for 2020, or 860,000 unemployed individuals, as a result of a halt in both the domestic and global economies due to lockdown measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Today marks the first day of a full Parliament session since the change in government in March.

The orders for the day include a motion by Muhyiddin for the removal of Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, with the nomination of former Election Commission chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to replace him.

The prime minister is also seeking the removal of Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming as the Deputy Speaker, with the nomination of Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said to replace him.

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