PARLIAMENT Two opposition lawmakers were kicked out from the Dewan Rakyat today for interjecting Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin while he was wrapping up on the Eleventh Malaysia Plan.

 

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia ordered Teo Kok Seong (DAP-Rasah) and Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) to leave the August House.

The incident took place when Muhyiddin, who is also the education minister, spoke on the controversial 1Malaysia netbooks.

Muhyiddin ( photo ) was responding to the query on the 100,000 netbooks kept in the ministry instead of being distributed to the teachers.

"The netbooks were not distributed to individuals, but kept at a safe place to facilitate the maintenance process, while technical supports can be given," said Muhyiddin, adding that the process would save cost and time.

An unhappy Teo interrupted and said: "The minister dares not answer my questions."

Provoked by Teo's move, Pandikar said a parliamentarian should not speak before being given permission to do so, under Section 35 of Standing Order.

Teo refused to back down was ejected from the House.

'Speaker seemed to be in a bad mood'

Following this, Lim stood up and asked how long his colleague would be banned.

The speaker kicked him out too when he refused to sit down.

When met outside, Teo noted that the speaker seemed to be in bad mood.

"The government has promised to give a total of 400,000 of netbooks, worth RM400 million, to the teachers as their Teacher's Day presents," he said.

Now, the netbooks were given to schools, but not the teachers, while 121,000 netbooks are stored at the ministry, Teo said.

He also asked why Pandikar ( photo ) allowed Muhyiddin to avoid this question.

"I wasn't causing any chaos. I was polite when I asked question," Teo said.

"I stood up to ask Muhyiddin. He didn't answer but just sat down. I asked again and the speaker became emotional.

"Even if he wasn't happy with the higher powers, he should not get me into his matter. I am just performing my duty as a MP," Teo added.