KUBANG Kerian MP Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has apologised for suggesting last week that Putrajaya had dictated the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s officiating speech in Parliament.
The PAS deputy president said the matter should not be dragged on and that focus should be on pressing issues affecting the general public.
“I think there is no need to dwell on this because we have many important issues to discuss. So, I think if there was a mistake, I apologise and we should move on to more important matters for the interests of the people,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat earlier today (Feb 28).
On Feb 21, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer had reprimanded Tuan Ibrahim during the debate on the royal address for implying that the King’s speech had been dictated by Putrajaya.
Tuan Ibrahim had said 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.
His statement had prompted 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 Such an assumption is also malicious towards the Agong and I request that the statement be withdrawn,” Rayer had said.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.”
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Johari Abdul said he had recently met Tuan Ibrahim to discuss his controversial remarks.
He also thanked the PAS lawmaker for apologising, saying this is the kind of spirit that should be upheld in the lower House. – Feb 28, 2023
Main pic credit: HarakahDaily
