A HEATED debate is ongoing in Malaysia regarding MPs exploiting their parliamentary ‘immunity’ to make various accusations while their ‘victims’—those mentioned in parliamentary speeches—are unable to take any action against them.
Prof Datuk Dr Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain, among other experts, said the immunity and privileges of Malaysian MPs during speeches and debates in Dewan Rakyat are limited by the Federal Constitution.
Experts also emphasised that MPs must act responsibly and avoid incitement.
Dr. Wan Ahmad Fauzi Wan Husain noted that the six-month suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal was due to a breach of conduct.
“Privileges accorded to MPs under the protection of parliamentary immunity do not mean they are given complete freedom during debates in the Dewan Rakyat or Dewan Negara.
“He should know (the code of conduct) but why does he still use baseless points without valid facts during debates? To me, that’s not an abuse of immunity but Wan Fayhsal breaching the code of conduct as an MP,” he said.
Wan Fayshal has been slapped with a six-month suspension from the Dewan Rakyat.
This comes after the lower House passed a motion to suspend the Machang MP via a bloc vote on Thursday (July 18).
110 voted in favour of the suspension, while 63 opposed it.
The Bersatu Youth Chief was suspended for referencing a poison pen letter during the debate on the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) 2021 report on July 1.
The letter allegedly exposed the “mastermind” behind the privatisation of Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) as an Employees Provident Fund (EPF) employee and detailed the individual’s supposed ill-treatment of colleagues.
