KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul is set to announce tomorrow whether any action will be taken against two opposition MPs who allegedly violated Parliament’s Standing Orders.
At the start of today’s evening session, Johari said he will refer to the lower house’s Hansard before making any decision regarding separate statements made by Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (Kubang Kerian-PN) and Dr Halimah Ali (Kapar-PN).
“I will study (the Hansard) and make a ruling tomorrow. If I don’t have it in front of me, I might make the wrong call,” Johari said.
Tuan Ibrahim, who is also PAS deputy president, had earlier asserted to the house that Putrajaya had supplied the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s officiating speech in Parliament last week.
This then prompted R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) to cite Standing Order 36(6) which stipulates that no member shall impute improper motives to any other member, claiming that Tuan Ibrahim had insulted the ruler.
“He (Tuan Ibrahim) must retract his statement and apologise. Imagine if a DAP MP had made the statement instead, the opposition would have blown their top,” Rayer said when imploring Johari to take action against the PAS man.
Meanwhile, Dr Kelvin Yii (Bandar Kuching-PH) similarly raised his grievances with Dr Halimah to the speaker, citing Standing Order 36(12) on how members who mislead the House are deemed to be in contempt of the House and may be referred to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges.
Referencing a letter he had written to Johari earlier today, Dr Yii also said that Dr Halimah should issue an apology to the public who were confused or offended by her controversial claims on the Menu Rahmah offerings.
Her claims were made on February 14 while she was debating the royal address. While it was reported then that she had stated that Menu Rahmah movement could lead to risks of ailments, including cancer and autism, she later denied the assertion.
Despite her insistence that the Hansard will absolve her of the statement, checks on the document for Parliament’s sitting on the day revealed that the lawmaker had indeed said that those who opt for Menu Rahmah food items could be exposed to various ills.
Coming to her defence, Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (Parit Buntar-PN) sparked yet another shouting match when he said that Dr Yii had contradicted Standing Order 36(6) by making false claims against Dr Halimah.
While Misbahul, Dr Yii and Rayer vied to speak over each other, Dr Halimah attempted to plead her innocence, stating once again that she had been misunderstood.
All MPs were eventually ordered to take their seats by Johari. – The Vibes, February 21, 2023
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