Chaos as opposition pushes to remove speaker, Jelutong MP ejected

PARLIAMENT | Chaos broke out in Parliament today over a motion to remove Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, which had been previously rejected by his deputy Mohd Rashid Hasnon.

The commotion culminated in Rashid kicking RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) out of the august House for two days, after the latter called Rashid an “embarrassment” (memalukan).

“He said shameful, it is inappropriate. I also have a face,” Rashid said, after kicking Rayer out.

This resulted in the opposition MPs chanting "memalukan" inside the Dewan, though they soon had to stop as the sitting adjourned for the lunch break.

Earlier, Azhar had been chairing the sitting when M Kula Segaran (Harapan-Ipoh Barat) asked him to explain why the motion to remove Azhar as speaker was rejected.

Azhar said he is unable to explain as he was not involved in making that decision at all.

"Don't ask me to explain because I was not involved in making that decision. I am in a position of conflict, so I recused myself.

"If I had made a decision, surely you will complain also, right? So I did not want to get involved, I handed (the decision) to the deputy speaker (Rashid)," Azhar said.

The opposition MPs then urged Rashid to enter the Dewan Rakyat so he can explain his decision in rejecting the motion.

Rashid told the House that he had rejected a number of motions about vacating the speaker position due to technicalities.

"I have referred to a legal adviser and (the motions) did not fulfil the regulations.

"Hence, everyone who submitted a motion, I have answered them in writing. Please read my answer and my decision is final.

"Appeals can be made but there have been none so far," Rashid added.

This prompted protest from the opposition MPs, with Rayer describing Rashid as an "embarrassment".

"Deputy speaker, you are abusing your power, do not misuse your power. The people are watching you, what an embarrassment," Rayer said.

Rashid asked Rayer to retract that statement several times, but the latter refused, which resulted in him being kicked out of the House.

The appointment of the new Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker was also delayed due to this incident.

Later, Anwar Ibrahim (Harapan-Port Dickson) requested for Rayer to be allowed into the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow, which Rashid acquiesced to.

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