Dewan Rakyat speaker bans derogatory labels amid rising tensions

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul today banned lawmakers from using words such as “kafir”, “Zionists”, and “Yahudi” (Jews) or any equivalent in a derogatory manner against their peers when speaking in the lower house, following several commotions that took place last week.

Johari ruled that such conduct contravenes Standing Order 36(10)(c) which prevents lawmakers from using words likely to promote feelings of ill-will or hostility between different communities in the federation.

“Honourable members should show commendable behaviour when addressing the issues of the people and the country and make the national interests their main goal, instead of using this house as a political arena for groups or individuals.

“...Let the debate of the honourable members be based on issues to defend the fate of the people out there. I emphasise that I will not tolerate any more and will take action if the issue and words referred to earlier are raised again,” Johari (above) said this morning.

He also told MPs to leave any personal matters involving other MPs outside of the house.

Uproars in Dewan Rakyat

Last week, tensions heightened in the august house at several junctures, starting on Oct 17 when a war of words broke between Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (Perikatan Nasional-Pengkalan Chepa) and Howard Lee (Pakatan Harapan-Ipoh Timor).

The former claimed that Lee had wronged the opposition by supposedly citing Quranic verses in a “provocative” manner to paint them in a bad light.

Marzuk then labelled DAP as “kafir” or infidels.

RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) said it was wrong of Marzuk to brand the entire party as “kafir” as it had DAP Malay-Muslim lawmakers from Bentong, Bangi and Bukit Bendera.

In response, Marzuk said he would retract his statement if it was “misinterpreted”, as it was only targeted towards DAP's non-Muslim MPs.

This, however, did not stop Syahredzan Johan (Harapan-Bangi) from referring Marzuk to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.

Johari said today that Syahredzan’s motion was currently being reviewed.

Another uproar took place on Oct 18 after Khoo Poay Tiong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) intervened Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) and raised the case of his son-in-law Muhammad Adlan Berhan, who is wanted by the MACC.

Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) came to Muhyiddin’s defence, shouting expletives such as “bangsat”, “biadap”, and “Yahudi”.

Khoo was also labelled as having a “Zionist attitude” by Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN-Pendang).

Johari clarified that while the word “Zionist” can be used, it should not be associated with any lawmaker in the house.

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