KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition bloc taunted Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat-Bersatu) over his decision to boot R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) from the lower house today for calling the former “memalukan”.
Almost immediately after Rayer was told to vacate the lower House, opposition lawmakers, including Amanah president Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja-PH), DAP’s Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) and Gobind Singh Deo (Puchong-PH), began banging their fists on their tables while chanting: “Memalukan! Memalukan! Memalukan!”
Some of the MPs were also heard questioning, “What’s wrong with the word ‘embarrassment’?”
Rashid replied: “I have a face, too.”
Opposition MPs chant "Memalukan" after deputy speaker Datuk Seri Rashid Hasnon asks Jelutong MP RSN Rayer to retract his statement. pic.twitter.com/O5ex4q4l08
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) September 14, 2021
Rayer had earlier questioned Rashid on why he refuses to explain his decision to block motions brought by multiple MPs to remove Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
The commotion began when the Ipoh Barat MP raised the matter with Azhar, who tried to explain to the lower House that he had recused himself from the decision on whether to allow the motion of confidence against him to go through.
However, pressure was kept on him as the opposition continued to demand answers or an explanation on why the motion was rubbished.
“You have to ask my deputy. I didn’t make any decision on this matter,” said Azhar.
Gobind and opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Port Dickson-PH) said it was very odd that the speaker has no idea or did not discuss the decision made by Rashid.
“I didn’t discuss it with him. Puchong, you are a lawyer, you know this would be a conflict of interest. If I had made a decision or didn’t recuse myself, you wouldn’t be happy either,” Azhar said.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) MPs then demanded that Rashid be brought into the speaker’s chair so he could answer their queries.
The opposition bloc taunted Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (Batu Pahat-Bersatu) over his decision to boot R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) from the lower house today for calling the former “memalukan”. pic.twitter.com/CGHNltOuKA
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) September 14, 2021
At first Azhar tried to dodge the request, saying that Rashid would take the seat at 2.30pm, but the opposition were relentless in their demands. Azhar relented and vacated the chair for Rashid.
Once he took the seat, Rashid told the Dewan Rakyat that he received motions from 13 MPs but rejected them on technicality issues, saying that the motions did not observe the Standing Orders.
However, he refused to give a detailed explanation to the Dewan on his decision.
“I’ve sent the letters to those who submitted the motions. I’m only responsible to those who submitted the motions. Go read those letters,” said Rashid.
“You are responsible for this Dewan! Not just to those MPs! You should not be abusing your power! The public is watching! Your actions are “memalukan”!” an irate Rayer blasted Rashid.
Losing his temper, Rashid shouted back, demanding Rayer retracts his statement, triggering a round of chaos.
“Jelutong! I instruct you to retract the word ‘memalukan’!” demanded Rashid.
However, Rayer received backing from his opposition colleagues, who told him to not retract his statement, with many MPs standing up and demanding to be heard.
After Rashid’s third demands were ignored, he told the house’s sergeant-at-arms (bentara) to remove Rayer.
“That’s the third time I made this instruction for you to retract your statement. Bentara! Remove Jelutong! He is suspended for two days!” Rashid shouted at the Parliament staff. – The Vibes, September 14, 2021
