KUALA LUMPUR: Lawmakers will forgo their lunch break to remain in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 9) to debate the recent flash floods in the Klang Valley.

       Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun allowed the emergency motion raised by Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang) to debate the flash flood incident.

       "I am satisfied that the motion fulfills the criteria under Order 18(1) that it is a specific issue of public interest which is urgent,” said Azhar.

       "I will allow the motion to be raised in the House but it must be by way of a motion raised by a minister," he added in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday (March 9).

       Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar tabled a motion for the purpose which was approved by the House through a voice vote.

       The debates on the flash flood will take place between 1pm and 2.30pm.

       On Tuesday (March 8), Fong submitted a notice to table an emergency motion to debate the flash floods which affected several parts of Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya on Monday (March 7).

       Fong said floodwaters had damaged many vehicles.

       He added that this resulted in devaluation of these vehicles with some owners losing as much as RM100,000.