Selangor opposition leader Dr Mohd Khir Toyo was expelled from the state legislative assembly after refusing to retract his accusation that Speaker Teng Chang Khim was biased.

NONE The accusation was made when the duo argued over the definition of 'Dewan' which referred to the state legislative assembly meeting hall.

Earlier, during the debate on the Supplementary Budget 2009, DAP's Sekinchan state rep Ng Suee Lim said he received a legal letter from Khir within the 'Dewan' compound and sought clarification from the house if this was appropriate.

Teng then asked Khir if the allegation was true and subsequently ruled that Commonwealth Parliamentary conventions do not allow legal actions to take place within the 'Dewan' compound.

The speaker argued that such acts would erode the legal immunity enjoyed by all state reps.

'Don't talk nonsense'

Cautioning Khir against repeating the mistake, Teng said the Rights and Privileges Committee could take action against him for violating the sanctity of the state legislative assembly.

Khir defended himself by stating that the Standing Orders limit 'Dewan' to the confines of the meeting hall.

selangor adun ceremony 220408 teng chang kim Teng then demanded that Khir point out the specific provision.

"Which Standing Order? What page? Don't talk nonsense," thundered the speaker.

The opposition leader then franctically searched through the Standing Orders but failed to find the said rule.

Despite this, the former MB kept insisting that 'Dewan' referred to the meeting hall.

Annoyed, Khir then remarked: "This is why I say the speaker is biased."

An infuriated Teng then repeatedly demanded that Khir retract his statement, which the latter refused.

The speaker then issued the marching orders but did not specify the duration of the suspension.

"I have already given you a chance. No legislative body in the world allows members to call the speaker biased," he said.

Mulls legal action

Speaking to reporters later, Khir said his lawyers had served Ng the letter of demand last Friday at the parking lot.

"I was criticised in the hall for something that I'm not guilty of. That is why I said he was biased," he said, adding that the Federal Constitution supported his claim that 'Dewan' referred only to the meeting hall.

Khir also said Kinrara state rep Teresa Kok had served him a legal notice within the meeting hall last year but he did not complain to the speaker because he did not want to disrupt the proceedings.

The former MB said he would consult his lawyer soon to explore the possibility of taking legal action against Teng.

The letter of demand to Ng alleged that the DAP rep had defamed the Umno leader while making allegations pertaining to Khir's lavish mansion in Shah Alam.