KUALA LUMPUR – A DAP lawmaker’s demand that PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang face criminal action for claiming the “right” to topple the government sparked furore in the Dewan Rakyat today.
R. S. N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) said the Home Ministry should investigate Hadi’s statement for breaching Section 124(b) of the Penal Code on activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
“If this was done by DAP, we would already have been investigated by the police,” Rayer said when debating Budget 2023.
“I request that this incident is given attention, as the people cannot suffer if something (like this) is done by the opposition.
“I urge Marang (Hadi) not to disobey the Agong,” Rayer added.
Rayer’s request had sparked outrage with lawmakers in the opposition, who in turn demanded him to retract his claims.
Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (Parit Buntar-PN) said Rayer had breached Section 36(6) of the Standing Orders by imputing improper motives to another member.
He said Hadi’s claims were merely statements and did not reflect actual plans by the party.
Meanwhile, Khlir Mohd Nor (Ketereh-PN) challenged Rayer and other MPs to lodge a police report if they had evidence against the PAS leader, while dismissing news reports on Hadi’s remarks.
“What evidence is that? If you have proof, lodge a police report,” he yelled repeatedly as Rayer held up a newspaper article on Hadi.
The opposition lawmakers continued to be riled up as Deputy Speaker Alice Lau attempted to maintain order, which went on for about five minutes.
Lau ruled that Rayer could continue his debate, and those unsatisfied may call for a motion on the incident.
Despite the MPs’ microphones being cut off, their shouting match could still be heard.
It only concluded after Lau’s warning that whoever continued to speak out of turn would be ejected from the chamber.
Hadi yesterday defended the opposition’s right to overthrow the government, adding that coup d’états were “normal” by opposition blocs in democratic countries.
Last week, Hadi also said in the Dewan Rakyat that the opposition should not be blamed if the government collapses again in a similar fashion to the disintegration of the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led Pakatan Harapan government in 2020.
The Penal Code section cited by Rayer, meanwhile, imposes a jail penalty of up to 20 years for activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy. – The Vibes, March 8, 2023
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