A PAS MP has demanded an explanation from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul over his four-day suspension from the august House.
Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim’s suspension came in the heels of the commotion earlier this afternoon (Feb 27) where opposition MPs had staged a walkout at the Dewan Rakyat.
This is after Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had questioned the “last minute” slot given to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to thank the present and past Yang di-Pertuan Agongs for their service, saying that the opposition was not informed of the matter.
Takiyuddin also said that such changes in the proceedings would interfere with the debate on the royal address scheduled to take place among lawmakers.
In the commotion, Awang Hashim was ejected and suspended from the lower House for four days for not abiding Johari’s order to sit despite repeated warnings.
After returning to the Dewan Rakyat with fellow opposition MPs, Awang was told by Deputy Speaker Alice Lau to leave the House since he had been suspended.
However, Awang said he was unaware that he had been suspended and demanded an explanation as to why he was given the suspension.
“I was on my way out (of the chambers) just now. I didn’t even hear it,” he said.
“I just want to know what I did wrong. Has he (Johari) even checked the Hansard? When I left the chambers, the Speaker seemed emotional.”
Awang continued to ignore Lau’s demands that he leaves the Dewan Rakyat, saying that he wanted to wait for the Speaker to return to give him an explanation about his suspension.
Lau then warned him that she would increase his suspension to 10 days if he refused to leave.
Johari had later returned to the sitting to clarify Awang’s suspension.
“I told you to retract what you had said, but you refused,” he said, adding that he suspended him for only four days despite the Agong’’s orders for a 14-day ban on “stubborn” MPs.
Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had then stepped in and requested that Awang retract his statement.
“Don’t argue. Apologise and retract,” he said and Awang concurred.
It remains unclear what Awang had said that had resulted in his suspension in the first place.
Disrespectful to royal institution
In related news, Anwar said the opposition’s move to walk out of the Dewan Rakyat while he was delivering his speech to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim’s appointment as the country’s 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong is “disrespectful” to the royal institution.
“(My speech) has nothing to do with Sultan Ibrahim’s royal address (in the Parliament opening ceremony yesterday),” Anwar clarified.
“I was supposed to come (to Parliament) this morning, but there was an official visit by the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
“That is why I had requested to present my speech at 2.30pm, because the programme with the Cambodian Prime Minister ended at 1.45pm.”
Anwar, who is also the Tambun MP, further noted that his motion was based on Parliamentary Standing Orders 14(i) and 14(j), and took into account matters that should be prioritised.
“It is illogical to only thank the former Agong at the end of the Parliament session. I agree that it should be done this morning, but for the opposition to oppose (this motion), it shows that they do not respect the royal institution,” he remarked.
“They can oppose the process, but we will continue to defend it as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker has made a decision (to allow the motion).
“This is the problem with our country. Even after the King’s address yesterday, they (the opposition) still don’t get it because of seething resentment and jealousy.” – Feb 27, 2024
Main pic credit: Screen capture via YouTube/Parlimen Malaysia
