[UPDATED] Lapdog, ‘derhaka’ accusations against Azhar, PM abound in Dewan

KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun has come under intense fire less than 30 minutes into today’s sitting, when opposition lawmakers questioned the legitimacy of the five-day session.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh questioned loudly if Azhar is biased towards the government instead of remaining neutral during proceedings in the lower house.

“Are you a lapdog? Are you a government lapdog? You are a disgrace to this Dewan. You are not fit to be in that chair. Resign!” said Ramkarpal.

He was met with various calls from government backbenchers to retract his outburst.

However, this did not stop Ramkarpal from continuing to grill Azhar on why the emergency proclamation and its ordinances were not brought to Parliament.

“You have to understand that the rules of the House cannot supersede the constitution. Did you receive orders from the government to not bring forward those issues to Parliament?

“Is this your agenda? If it is, resign,” he said amid calls telling him to leave the House.

The DAP lawmaker added that should the speaker refuse to relinquish his position, then opposition MPs will submit a motion on the matter.

Muhyiddin ‘derhaka’

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin fired shots at Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for committing “derhaka” against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who decreed on June 16 for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible.

He said Muhyiddin, who is also Pagoh MP, did not reconvene Parliament immediately and has not allowed lawmakers to debate emergency ordinances.

“We know YB Pagoh has commited ‘derhaka’ against the Agong’s decree. He did not reconvene Parliament immediately, and now, he has ordered the Dewan Rakyat not to debate the ordinances.”

During the pre-briefing session, the PKR lawmaker said Azhar has the responsibility to defend Parliament and the king’s decree.

“Please do not drag the Parliament along in this treason (penderhakaan).”

Today is the first time MPs are gathered in the Dewan Rakyat after a state of emergency was declared on January 12.

On June 16, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Conference of Rulers said it was not necessary to extend the ongoing emergency period past August 1, and recommended for Parliament, along with the respective state legislatures, to be reconvened as soon as possible. 

The king then reiterated his call for Parliament to reconvene as soon as possible after meeting with the heads of the upper and lower houses of Parliament on June 29.

‘We can never wash the blood on our hands’

Meanwhile, Selayang MP William Leong pleaded with Azhar to reconsider allowing motions by Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Beruas MP Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham to call for a debate on the emergency and its annulment.

Leong stressed that when the motion is rejected, it shows that the basic structure of the federal constitution is destroyed as the legislative’s right is the right of the House, not the right of the executive.

“When there was no Parliament sitting, the executive have declared emergency and also its ordinances.

“In Article 150(3) of the federal constitution, it states that when Parliament reconvenes, it is our right and responsibility to make decisions.

“If we don’t do so, the role of Parliament will be destroyed,” he said.

Leong said it is Parliament which is responsible for the people’s wellbeing in these trying times as the country battles against Covid-19.

“Yesterday, we recorded 17,045 positive cases and a total of 7,994 deaths. How many more will succumb to Covid-19 in the next six months? It will be our responsibility.

“The blood will be on our hands. Can it be washed? It can never be washed. What do we tell the victims’ families in the next six months?” he questioned. – The Vibes, July 26, 2021