Mauritius Speaker rejects parliamentary question on own overseas trips

The speaker of the National Assembly, Sooroojdev Phokeer has rejected a question from Labour MP Osman Mahomed which he intended to ask at Tuesday’s Parliamentary sitting.

The latter wanted PM Pravind Jugnauth to disclose the number of missions abroad that was approved for Speaker Sooroojdev Phokeer and his deputy, Zahid Nazurally.

Osman Mahomed also wanted to know the list of countries visited and the cost of these trips. The Speaker reportedly referred to section 22 (1) (n) of the Standing Orders to censor the question, which states “a question cannot be asked on a matter within the jurisdiction of the speaker”.

Mahomed reacted by arguing that he had every right to question the PM on “how taxpayers’ money are being spent”.

Source: Le Mauricien