KUALA LUMPUR – A shouting match erupted on the first day of the 15th Parliament session after Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) questioned the need to conduct a motion of confidence for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The former Umno lawmaker, who is now with Perikatan Nasional (PN), said this is unnecessary considering Anwar’s appointment has been “legitimised” by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
He said this immediately after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof tabled the motion of confidence, noting that the unity government formed today is one suggested by the king.
Shahidan, however, raised a point of order under Standing Order 36(7) of the Dewan Rakyat, which notes that the name of the Agong or any of the rulers shall not be used to influence the House.
To this, Howard Lee (Ipoh Timur-PH) said the points mentioned by Fadillah are mere facts.
To this, Shahidan responded: “To us, if the Agong has legitimised (the government), why do we have to table the matter here again? Just be the prime minister, no need to prove your legitimacy.”
This provoked a response from Mohd Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat-PH), who said the reason a vote of confidence is conducted today is because the prime minister has the courage to do so.
“Previously, the eighth prime minister did not have the courage. Instead, he declared an emergency,” he said in reference to PN chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Lengthy bickering ensued, with Shahidan questioning if he is currently in a zoo, while taking a dig at Sany’s medical condition which required an operation last week.
“I am merely raising a point of order, but this new person who just came back from hospital is a problem,” said Shahidan
This did not sit well with government lawmakers with Sany and Lee demanding Shahidan retract his statement.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul attempted to allay the tension by seeking for the debate on the motion of confidence to resume, but Shahidan continued to press for a ruling on Fadillah’s decision to mention the Agong’s name in his motion.
Lee, in particular, could be heard shouting at Shahidan repeatedly over the microphone.
At this point, Johari demanded for Lee to sit down and not interfere with the proceedings, before opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut-PN) started his debate.
A total of 12 MPs are expected to debate the motion of confidence for Anwar, before it is put up for vote later. – The Vibes, December 19, 2022
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