Malaysia

‘Memalukan!’: shame game erupts in Parliament after MP’s booting

R.S.N. Rayer ordered out after quizzing deputy speaker on rejected motions

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 14 Sep 2021 1:18PM

‘Memalukan!’: shame game erupts in Parliament after MP’s booting
R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) was told to vacate the lower House after calling Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon ‘memalukan’. – Screen grab, September 14, 2021

by Azril Annuar

KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition bloc taunted Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat-Bersatu) over his decision to boot R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) from the lower house today for calling the former “memalukan”.

Almost immediately after Rayer was told to vacate the lower House, opposition lawmakers, including Amanah president Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja-PH), DAP’s Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) and Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-PH), began banging their fists on their tables while chanting: “Memalukan! Memalukan! Memalukan!”

Some of the MPs were also heard questioning, “What’s wrong with the word ‘embarrassment’?”

Rashid replied: “I have a face, too.”

Rayer had earlier questioned Rashid on why he refuses to explain his decision to block motions brought by multiple MPs to remove Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.

The commotion began when the Ipoh Barat MP raised the matter with Azhar, who tried to explain to the lower House that he had recused himself from the decision on whether to allow the motion of confidence against him to go through.

However, pressure was kept on him as the opposition continued to demand answers or an explanation on why the motion was rubbished.

“You have to ask my deputy. I didn’t make any decision on this matter,” said Azhar.

Gobind and opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) said it was very odd that the speaker has no idea or did not discuss the decision made by Rashid.

“I didn’t discuss it with him. Puchong, you are a lawyer, you know this would be a conflict of interest. If I had made a decision or didn’t recuse myself, you wouldn’t be happy either,” Azhar said.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs then demanded that Rashid be brought into the speaker’s chair so he could answer their queries.

At first Azhar tried to dodge the request, saying that Rashid would take the seat at 2.30pm, but the opposition were relentless in their demands. Azhar relented and vacated the chair for Rashid.

Once he took the seat, Rashid told the Dewan Rakyat that he received motions from 13 MPs but rejected them on technicality issues, saying that the motions did not observe the Standing Orders.

However, he refused to give a detailed explanation to the Dewan on his decision.

“I’ve sent the letters to those who submitted the motions. I’m only responsible to those who submitted the motions. Go read those letters,” said Rashid.

“You are responsible for this Dewan! Not just to those MPs! You should not be abusing your power! The public is watching! Your actions are “memalukan”!” an irate Rayer blasted Rashid.

Losing his temper, Rashid shouted back, demanding Rayer retracts his statement, triggering a round of chaos.

“Jelutong! I instruct you to retract the word ‘memalukan’!” demanded Rashid.

However, Rayer received backing from his opposition colleagues, who told him to not retract his statement, with many MPs standing up and demanding to be heard.

After Rashid’s third demands were ignored, he told the house’s sergeant-at-arms (bentara) to remove Rayer.

“That’s the third time I made this instruction for you to retract your statement. Bentara! Remove Jelutong! He is suspended for two days!” Rashid shouted at the Parliament staff. – The Vibes, September 14, 2021

Related News

Malaysia / 4d

BNPL users hit eight million as outstanding balances reach RM5.3b

Malaysia / 4w

Speaker reminds MPs not to skip parliamentary sessions

Malaysia / 4w

Hamzah back in the saddle as opposition leader after brief shake-up

Malaysia / 1mth

Muhyiddin's seat in Dewan Rakyat moved to Block E

Malaysia / 4mth

‘I feel awkward sitting next to Hamzah’ – Muhyiddin

Malaysia / 5mth

PM term limit: 'It starts with me' - Anwar

Spotlight

Malaysia

PRNNS: Loke: 'We must win all 11 seats to help PH form state government'

Sports & Fitness

Spain ends Argentina’s World Cup reign with extra-time triumph to reclaim global crown

World

Cat found alive after being buried under Venezuela quake rubble for days (video)

Malaysia

“Resign if you attack fellow Unity Government partners,” Anwar enforces discipline

Malaysia

PH youth wing calls on BN ministers to quit cabinet over PN electoral alliance

Malaysia

Rosmah asks for prayers as Najib prepares for medical procedure

Malaysia

Woman at a loss after fake Hong Kong lawyer offers to recover money from previous scam

You may be interested

Malaysia

PM holds final authority on cabinet appointments - Minister

Malaysia

Syed Saddiq completes 170km Thanksgiving Charity Run after acquittal, surpassing fundraising target

Malaysia

Dataran Merdeka filled with rubbish after World Cup final

Malaysia

Negeri Sembilan PRN: Police record one report over supporters’ verbal dispute

Malaysia

Bersatu ‘messing things up’ for BN, PN candidates, claims Wan Saiful

Malaysia

BN cannot rely solely on Johor victory formula for Negeri Sembilan - Johari

Malaysia

Govt launches National Month celebrations under 'Malaysia Madani: Shared Prosperity' theme

Malaysia

eFishery loss will not jeopardise KWAP’s finances or pension payments - Tengku Zafrul