JOHOR BARU – Datuk Awang Hashim (Pendang-PN) has been kicked out of the august house for two days following a heated shouting match in the Dewan Rakyat.
The order came from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul after Awang interrupted Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli’s Budget 2023 winding-up speech.
“The Honourable Pendang, if you want to act like a clown, you can do so when another minister is speaking,” Rafizi said after Awang suggested that poor government administration occurred during Barisan Nasional’s reign in Putrajaya.
The Pandan MP was addressing concerns over the economy from other lawmakers, pointing out that fighting corruption ensures a healthier economy for the nation.
MP’s in the opposition aisle objected to Rafizi’s use of the word “clown”, prompting the Pandan MP to point out that Perikatan Nasional parliamentarians have used more offensive insults towards the government.
“Fine, I will retract the word ‘clown’ from my speech, but the Honorable Pendang has to go out,” Rafizi said.
The ruckus resulted in Johari having to provide a lecture in the Dewan Rakyat to remind MPs to follow the rules during a minister’s speech.
“I said if a minister does not allow an MP to intervene, don’t raise anything.
“I have told him (The Honorable Pendang) to stand down many times already because the minister didn’t allow him to intervene.
“Now I look like I have no control of Parliament because the people want to see what we are discussing here,” Johari said. – The Vibes, March 8, 2023
