This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on November 22, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he will speak with members of Parliament (MPs) who have failed to show up during Dewan Rakyat proceedings even though their attendance was being monitored.

Dr Mahathir said this was not the first time Parliament proceedings had started late due to lack of a quorum in the Lower House.

News reports said there were only 24 MPs in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat as of 10am on Wednesday before the start of the question-and-answer session, which was short of the minimum 26 required. “This is the second time that there is not enough [of a] quorum. We will have to talk to the members of Parliament. They were very anxious to be candidates for the [general] election, but after having been elected, they are not behaving as if they really are serious about serving the people,” he said.

When asked if the absence of MPs should be read as a rebellious act against his leadership, Dr Mahathir told reporters on the sidelines of the International Social Well-being Conference 2019 that he hoped any such feelings can be expressed openly instead.

“There are many other ways of expressing their views. If they don’t like me, they can say so openly. I am subject to criticisms, as usual, because when you become a leader, you must expect to be criticised,” he said.

On the reshuffling of the Cabinet, Dr Mahathir said he will convey his intentions when the next Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting is held.