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Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) said Nga should focus on answering MPs’ questions, as parliamentary sessions are the best platform for lawmakers to get clear explanations from ministers.
“Almost no MP asked about his ministry’s successes, yet the minister spent nearly eight minutes on that,” he told a press conference in Parliament.
Afnan accused Nga of dodging important issues, such as the recent awards for licensed moneylenders, and not addressing them in the correct order during the Supply Bill 2025 debate.
Last Friday, a ministry source defended the decision to host the Madani Credit Awards 2024, following criticisms that the event rewarded an industry often associated with illegal moneylending.
The source said the event was aimed at rebranding the moneylending and pawnbroking industry as a professional sector that provides much-needed credit access to underserved communities.
The source also dismissed claims that the awards ceremony was politically motivated.
As of Sept 30, there were 4,315 licensed moneylenders, with 3,141 operating in Peninsular Malaysia under the ministry’s regulation.
The remaining 1,174 licence holders in Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan fall under the jurisdiction of their respective state licensing authorities. During the same period, there were 902 licensed pawnbrokers nationwide, all regulated by the ministry.
Meanwhile, Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) said she had left a Public Accounts Committee proceeding to participate in Nga’s debate session, only to be left waiting for answers.
“I waited for a long time, but there were no answers,” she said, adding that she had enquired about rent hikes in her constituency.
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