THE Dewan Rakyat descended into chaos earlier today when Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man claimed that Putrajaya had dictated the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s officiating speech in Parliament last week.
According to the Kubang Kerian MP, His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah’s speech text lacked emphasis on certain ostensible aspects of the Malaysia Madani agenda.
“It is a shame that (the Agong’s) address, which was provided by the government and presented to Cabinet…does not mention how fairness is a core element of the Madani concept,” the PAS deputy president said in his debate on the royal address.
His statement had prompted Jelutong MP RSN Rayer to cite Standing Order 36(6) which states that no member shall impute improper motives to any other members, pointing out that Tuan Ibrahim had unfairly questioned the ruler’s decree.
“The allegation that the royal address was supplied by the government is a malicious assumption. Such an assumption is also malicious towards the Agong and I request that the statement be withdrawn,” Rayer said.
While Tuan Ibrahim pointed out that it is normal practice for the government of the day to submit a speech text to the Agong, who will then determine whether or not he will use the suggested words, Rayer insisted that the former environment and water minister apologise for his remarks.
“How do you know that the Agong accepted the speech text (from the government) or if the decree heard in Parliament was the one suggested by the Cabinet?” he asked Tuan Ibrahim.
“There is a possibility that the Agong had edited (the text). Don’t make accusatory statements…Don’t dispute the Agong’s address. He (Tuan Ibrahim) must retract his statement and apologise. Imagine if a DAP MP had made the statement instead, the Opposition would have blown their top.”
Meanwhile, Kuala Selangor MP Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad also acknowledged that while it is true that the government provides a speech text to the king, it is incorrect to label the speech as coming purely from Putrajaya.
“The Agong’s decree is indeed presented by the government in the Cabinet but the moment the Agong accepts the text, it becomes His Majesty’s address, not the Cabinet’s. I hope you understand the procedure,” he asserted.
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Alice Lau had subsequently allowed Tuan Ibrahim to continue his speech. – Feb 21, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
