KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun will review his deputy’s imposition of only a two-day suspension on Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN) following objections to the dubious manner of its execution.
Addressing the lower House today, Azhar said he needs to scrutinise the Hansard and suspension order previously issued by Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon before making a decision.
He said this after Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) sought a ruling from the speaker under Standing Order 36(12), accusing Rashid of misleading the House.
Teo said this is in reference to Rashid’s decision last Tuesday to suspend Tajuddin for two days over his indecent outburst in the Dewan Rakyat, which took effect retroactively beginning the day of the incident on July 20.
The DAP lawmaker, however, quoted a July 20 Hansard as noting that Tajuddin had remained in the House throughout the proceeding that day, which should have rendered his suspension invalid.
“The Hansard has records of him on pages 149, 150, 151, 152, and 152,” she said today.
“Separately, in the final agenda of that day to vote on a motion on the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, he was also recorded as the 90th member to support the motion.
“This means that the deputy speaker has confused the Dewan, and I request for a ruling. What action will be taken against him (Tajuddin)?”
Azhar responded by saying: “I will need to refer to the Hansard and what his actual order was.”
To this, Teo replied: “I hope you will be able to make a ruling after completing your probe.”
On July 20, Tajuddin had allegedly used the derogatory Malay swear word “p*****k” against the opposition when his microphone was turned off.
He said this when calling out his opponents for identifying him as one who is prone to making sexist remarks. He also accused several DAP women members as “tak senonoh” (indecent) and “mulut cabul” (foul-mouthed).
On July 26, Rashid ruled that Tajuddin be handed a two-day suspension beginning the day of his outburst, when he was supposedly ejected, which did not impress the opposition.
It was pointed out that the deputy speaker did not in fact eject the Umno lawmaker.
The ensuing shouting match then saw Kasthuriraani Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) ejected from the House instead. – The Vibes, August 1, 2022
