Yesterday’s walkout by Pakatan Rakyat MPs from the Dewan Rakyat is reflective of their lack of respect for the Agong’s advice, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has claimed.

muhyiddin yassin pc 170310 Yesterday, deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee had rejected debate on a motion by the Home Ministry instructing the inspector-general of police to ensure that roads leading to Parliament are free of obstruction at all times.

Muhyiddin expressed disappointment with Pakatan MPs, saying their behaviour has deteriorated “to such an extent” that the Agong has noticed it.

“They have no respect and they don't pay attention... they are experienced and well-educated professionals who have been in politics for a long time,” he noted.

The debate sessions should be used to discuss issues that benefit the people, he said.

wan junaidi Muhyiddin was referring to yesterday’s royal address , which reminded MPs not to “dwell on trivial issues” but to debate constructively.

Pakatan representatives again attempted to force a debate on the same motion today, but deputy speaker Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar ( left ) was no less firm.

'I am not the Court of Appeal'

“I am not the Court of Appeal to decide on the decision made by yesterday's deputy speaker,” he crisply told Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor).

Lim tried to argue that, although it is not the convention to debate a standard motion, there is no provision saying that a debate cannot be requested.

NONE If members of parliament call for a debate on an issue, the speaker should not turn down the request, said Lim ( right ).

Citing two examples from the Hansard (verbatim record of parliamentary proceedings), he said that he had taken part in a debate on similar matters in 1974 and 1984.

Despite his persistence, his request was turned down, drawing jeers from the opposition bench.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby later, Lim said Pakatan has done its best to display “outrage and disgust publicly”, but to no avail.

“All MPs have to push for (such debate) because it is in everyone's common interest..This will just be a dead letter that will disappear in the bottom-most pit of hell. It will never see the light of day and they will never allow it to be debated,” he added.

“In other countries, in a healthy parliamentary democracy, such a motion to review the decision of a speaker will automatically be given time for debate.”