KUALA LUMPUR – There is never a dull day when R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) is in the Dewan Rakyat, as he today called out a handful of lawmakers who defected, saying they should be charged for cheating under the Penal Code.
This did not sit well with those named – Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Gombak-Bersatu), Datuk Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Kuala Langat-Independent), Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara Kumar (Segamat-Bersatu), and Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang-PBM) – especially Datuk Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo-Bersatu).
Rayer said the party-hoppers should be charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating their respective voters.
During his debate for the proposed constitutional amendments related to the anti-hopping bill, he added that these lawmakers had committed fraud against their constituents, deviated from their initial political campaigns, and pursued personal agendas.
“The question in the minds of the public now is why these political frogs have not been penalised under Section 420 of the Penal Code. Why are MPs being given privilege or privileged treatment and not charged in court for cheating voters?
“I support this law but we need to introduce means to penalise such actions. I believe if this were done, it would teach a lesson to people such as Gombak, Ampang, Segamat, Puncak Borneo, and Kuala Langat to not cheat their voters.”
Rayer also said that those he mentioned should be given a lecture on “principled politics” – a statement that ticked off Mongin as the other lawmakers were absent from the House.
Mongin interjected and pointed to Standing Order 36 (6) where no member shall impute improper motives to any other member.
“He (Rayer) kept mentioning Puncak Borneo, Puncak Borneo. But what about Pakatan Harapan (PH) who pledged numerous things under its Buku Harapan, but fulfilled none of them. Isn't that cheating?
“All PH politicians should be charged for cheating too.”
Rayer shouted back, calling Mongin a “traitor” while lawmakers from both sides of the divide tried to drown each other out.
“How can you keep calling people a traitor when PH is always lying too?” Mongin retorted.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja-PH) said if PH failed in its responsibilities in governing the country, it should be decided by the people, not via political manoeuvring.
“If Pakatan Harapan had failed then we should be defeated through an election, not the Sheraton Move.”
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor managed to calm the House down just before the proceedings concluded at 8.30pm. – The Vibes, July 27, 2022
