[UPDATED] Deputy speaker ejects three MPs after Perikatan rep says minister lied

KUALA LUMPUR – More drama transpired in the Dewan Rakyat today with a lengthy commotion resulting in three lawmakers from both sides of the divide being temporarily ejected from the House. 

The three are Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (Pendang-PN), Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) and R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH).  

Awang Solahuddin’s dismissal came after he refused to withdraw his remark accusing Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad of lying about Kedah being one of the states with a dwindling Malay reserve land size.  

Shahidan, meanwhile, was given his marching orders after he accused Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) of being a “penyamun” (thief). 

As for Rayer, he was ejected for calling Shahidan “biadap” (rude) and for interfering in proceedings when he relentlessly pressed Shahidan to withdraw his accusation against Lim.

Arau and Jelutong get booted from Dewan Rakyat temporarily due to ruckus pic.twitter.com/biAvGlk5U0

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) April 3, 2023

Their ejections came just over an hour after the opposition staged a walkout this morning to protest the speaker’s decision to reject its motion to debate the proposal for another round of targeted Employees Provident Fund withdrawals.

During his debate on the Finance Bill 2023, Awang cited figures from the Kedah Land and Mines Office which showed the state had recorded an increase of over 400 acres of Malay reserve land, contrary to Nik Nazmi’s claim.

“If you don’t have the information, don’t lie and confuse the Dewan. Retract your statement and apologise for saying Kedah is the state with the most Malay reserve land lost,” Awang told the minister.

Lim then told Awang to retract his unparliamentary remark, while Syahredzan Johan (Bangi-PH) pointed out that the minister could have made a mistake, and that this does not mean he was lying.

Deputy Speaker Alice Lau told Awang to retract his statement, warning that failure to do so would see him ejected from the House.

She also ruled that even if the facts and figures provided by Nik Nazmi were not accurate, this was not tantamount to lying.

Despite this, the PAS MP stood by his remark and insisted the minister had lied with ill intentions of demeaning the opposition.

After a heated exchange lasting a few minutes, Lau ordered the sergeant-at-arms to escort Awang out of the House and said he was barred from re-entering for at least one hour.

Pendang ejected from Dewan Rakyat after heated exchange. pic.twitter.com/Lg3V23q6SZ

— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) April 3, 2023

While Lau gave the order, Shahidan jumped to the defence of his fellow opposition MP, pointing out that Awang had spoken based on facts and was not imputing improper motives to Nik Nazmi.

DAP’s Lim interjected, saying that as a senior MP, Shahidan should have known better that Awang’s accusation was unparliamentary.

Shahidan could then be heard uttering the word “penyamun”, purportedly referring to Lim.

An infuriated Rayer then demanded the former Umno man withdraw his statement, accusing him of being rude.

With both the MPs (Jelutong and Arau) engaging in a heated war of words, Lau instructed them to leave the House temporarily.

“Both of you, please leave for a while. Don’t waste our time. Arau and Jelutong can take a short rest,” she said, before resuming proceedings. – The Vibes, April 3, 2023