Former minister Rais Yatim has proposed that the monthly allowance of MPs be slashed in the event of an insufficient quorum in the Dewan Rakyat.

“The best way to overcome the lack of quorum is to cut the monthly allowance according to the rate specified by the select committee,” he tweeted this evening.

Secondly, Rais, who is now a Bersatu member, suggested publishing the names of “lazy” MPs who failed to attend the proceedings in the newspapers or social media.

This afternoon, the Dewan Rakyat proceedings were delayed for five minutes following the 90-minute lunch break when lawmakers from both sides of the aisle failed to meet the minimum quorum of 26.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later, DAP lawmaker Ngeh Koo Ham explained that government backbenchers were in a meeting.

“We were not having lunch. We worked through the lunch break, in a meeting at (one of the committee rooms) to discuss various matters.

“When the bell rang, we rushed to the hall from our meeting, which actually was still not finished,” he added.

Ngeh also explained that lawmakers are sometimes not present in the Dewan Rakyat during proceedings due to other engagements.