KUALA LUMPUR – A fresh round of shouting in the Dewan Rakyat was triggered today when Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) called Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (independent-Muar) “budak” (child).
This happened after Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Willie Mongin (Bersatu-Puncak Borneo) allowed Tajuddin to ask questions, despite Syed Saddiq’s repeated interjections.
The independent MP said he waited a long while after being dismissed several times prior to the incident.
“Children should sit first,” said Tajuddin, chuckling as he told Syed Saddiq off.
“Your grandchildren are watching, you know,” said the 27-year-old in response.
“Sit down, you have much more to learn,” Tajuddin replied, adding that Syed Saddiq is wasting time.
When Tajuddin was done speaking, Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) stood up to raise Standing Order 36(4), saying this is not the first time Syed Saddiq has been called a child in the Dewan Rakyat.
“How old is she? How old is he?” Tajuddin asked as Yeoh tried to catch Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun’s attention.
Willie interjected, calling on Azhar to allow him to finish his winding-up session. The speaker ordered silence, and advised MPs to practise courtesy.
“Tuan Speaker, I raised a Standing Order. Please at least let me have a say first, you have not heard my explanation. I am not trying to disrupt, but this is a very important point I want to make,” said Yeoh.
Azhar gave the floor to Willie to complete his winding-up session.
Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan) then asked Azhar whether calling Syed Saddiq a child is courteous.
“Can I have a ruling on this?”
Yeoh joined in, saying it is a form of bullying.
“But he really is a kid! I am 72 years old, how old is he?” said Tajuddin.
Lim continued asking Azhar for a ruling on the matter, but the speaker said it will be issued later.
Syed Saddiq interjected Willie again, and the latter tried to lighten the mood, saying: “Syed Saddiq is not just a kid, he is a handsome kid.”
After the winding-up session, the issue was brought up once more, and Azhar told the Dewan Rakyat that the incident was a joke, causing another uproar.
He said such is his ruling, before moving on to a bloc vote. – The Vibes, December 1, 2020
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