A motion to review the three-day suspension imposed on DAP member of parliament (MP) for Kota Melaka Kerk Kim Hock by the House Speaker was moved under Section 43 of the House Standing Orders in Parliament today.

Kerk was slapped with the suspension yesterday for insisting that the deputy finance minister, Chan Kong Choy, answer a question and for also ticking off the Speaker.

DAP MP for Tanjung Chow Kon Yeow who sent in the motion stated in the letter: "The House expresses its regret over the decision made by Speaker Mohamad Zahir Ismail to order the MP for Kota Melaka to leave the House for three days starting April 17."

He urged the House to accept "Kerk's actions as reasonable and in line with the spirit of democracy in order to safeguard the dignity of the House against the irresponsible attitude of the deputy finance minister, who had insulted the House when he refused to reply to questions raised by MPs while debating on the Supplementary Supply (2000 and 2001) Bill".

"This House expects the Speaker to consider seriously matters raised by MPs, especially those from Barisan Alternatif (BA) regarding insufficient time to debate issues and read documents which are not presented earlier, and about administrators who do not give proper answers or take further action to resolve problems," he added.

Heavy punishment

Chow also said "the House considered the suspension as a very heavy punishment, which was unreasonable and one that would impair the image and dignity of the house and the Speaker himself".

He urged the House to "take a stand in the spirit of democracy" to restore its image and dignity by reviewing and revoking the decision immediately.

At a press conference later, Chan said he expected an answer from the Speaker by Friday.

The Parliamentary Standing Orders states that the House Speaker has the right to suspend an MP from attending sessions for up to 10 days. It also allows the MP concerned to appeal the decision.

However, the Standing Orders are silent on the right of ministers not to answer questions raised by MPs.

In yesterday's incident, Kerk had posed a question to the deputy finance minister regarding the RM50,000 allocation to BN MPs for 'non-official purposes' and queried whether the MPs are required to produce receipts for such expenses.

When the Speaker responded that the deputy minister had the right not to answer, Kerk replied "as a veteran Speaker, you should uphold the dignity of the Parliament House".

He continued insisting for an answer despite warnings from the Speaker and subsequently found himself slapped with a three-day suspension.

Moral responsibility

PAS MP for Pendang and opposition leader Fadzil Noor, who attended the press conference with other opposition MPs, said government ministers have a moral responsibility to answer questions posed to them in Parliament.

"The questions raised concern the rakyat and it is unreasonable for ministers to dismiss them," he added.

"In Kerk's case, he had already obeyed the Speaker's first command by leaving the dewan , there is no need to impose a suspension on him," said Fadzil.

Keadilan president and MP for Permatang Pauh Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail agreed with Fadzil.

"They must answer all questions raised in a proper and accurate manner and not just reply in a haphazardly," she said.

"Furthermore, Kerk did not act in such a rude manner to warrant such a decision," Wan Azizah added.