PARLIAMENT | Ramkarpal Singh has become the first lawmaker to be given marching orders by the new Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.

The Bukit Gelugor MP was shown the exit for refusing to retract his earlier statement describing Umno Youth members as “gangsters (samseng)”.

This was after he cited a 2009 incident where his late father, former DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh was mobbed by a group of Umno Youth members.

The opposition protested when the term “samseng” was used, and several BN MPs, like Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan), replied in turn.

Ariff then instructed Ramkarpal and Bung to retract their remarks, which he said were unparliamentary.

"To cut this (episode) short... so that we can listen to the debate of Sungai Petani (MP Johari Abdul), both of you have to retract your remarks.

"Failing so, I will use section 44(2) of the Standing Orders against both of you," he said, referring to the order that allows the speaker to ban an MP for two days.

"This is just a trivial matter. Don't use inappropriate words in the House, can we be more mature," he added.

However, Ramkarpal replied: "I do apologise, I am afraid I cannot.”

Ariff then issued a warning, and when Rampkarpal maintained his position, the speaker instructed Parliament staff to see the DAP lawmaker out.

Bung withdrew his remark and was allowed to remain in the House.

After his ejection, Ramkarpal told reporters he refused to retract his statement as a “matter of principle.” 

“As far as I’m concerned, the ruling had been made by the previous speaker this morning (that I can remain inside). 

“The rules of the Standing Orders are clear, if a ruling has been made and you are not happy with the ruling, you can file a motion. It is very clear in the Standing Orders, so that is my stand. 

"For that reason, as a matter of principle, the question of withdrawing does not arise because the ruling is final,” he said.