PETALING JAYA – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul today told MPs to refrain from using “sensitive” words such as “kafir” (infidel), “Zionist”, and “Yahudi” (Jews) in the august House.
He said various arguments put forth by MPs in last week’s 2024 supply bill debate were “sensitive, hurtful, and divisive”.
This, he said, contravened Standing Order 36(10)(c), which prevents lawmakers from using words that would cause feelings of hurt or enmity between one race and another in Malaysia.
“MPs should exhibit commendable behaviour when addressing the issues concerning the people and the nation.
“I call on MPs to stop using the words kafir (infidel), Zionist and Yahudi (Jews) and other similar words on each other,” he said.
Last week, the Dewan Rakyat erupted into chaos after Pengkalan Chepa MP Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary made a “DAP kafir” remark.
The next day on October 19, several MPs were involved in a shouting match after Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH) interjected when Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Pagoh-PN) was speaking and raised the issue of his son-in-law Adlan Berhan, who is wanted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Datuk Awang Hashim (Pendang-PN) was heard telling Khoo not to act like a “Zionist”.
At the start of today’s session, Johari urged MPs to “turn over a new leaf” and set aside the heated issues from the past week.
He said he would not compromise further and would take action if the aforementioned issues and words were raised again. – The Vibes, October 23, 2023
