PERAK Opposition Leader Razman Zakaria (pic - second from left) has been suspended from the State Legislative Assembly for six months, following a majority vote in the House over racist and seditious remarks he made during a sitting in December last year.
The Gunung Semanggol assemblyman will be barred from attending or participating in any legislative proceedings throughout the suspension period, although he will retain his seat.
The motion to suspend Razman was tabled by Ong Boon Piow (Pakatan Harapan–Bercham) and seconded by Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya (Barisan Nasional–Rungkup). Speaker Datuk Mohammad Zahir Abdul Khalid confirmed that the decision was passed after receiving majority support from members of the assembly.
Razman, who was referred to the Assembly’s Committee of Rights and Privileges on December 4, 2024, was found to have breached parliamentary decorum under Regulation 40 (11)(b) and (c) of the Standing Orders by issuing statements that were racially charged and seditious.
According to the Hansard, he said: “That’s why I said in my speech, those with eyes like mine, skin like mine, blood like mine, there must be many here like me. Is that true? That’s why I ask that we all stand up against the traitors who bring foreigners to fly their country’s flag in our country.”
Speaker Mohammad Zahir described the remarks as deeply inappropriate, especially from a figure in a leadership position.
“This assembly must uphold the principles of mutual respect and inclusivity. Any form of racial provocation has no place within these walls,” he said.
Razman’s suspension has triggered renewed debate over the standards of conduct expected from elected representatives, with calls for clearer boundaries and stronger disciplinary mechanisms to ensure parliamentary debates are free from hate speech and inflammatory rhetoric. – April 16, 2025
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