'Anyone can insult me outside': Speaker stays focused on house proceedings

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul today said any individual is free to criticise him outside of the Dewan Rakyat, as his main focus remains on his task to preside over parliamentary proceedings.

Unlike his predecessors, Johari said he would only respond to matters raised against him if made inside the Dewan Rakyat.

"I am different from the previous Tan Sris. Any matter raised in the Dewan Rakyat that questioned my credibility and decisions, I will take action.

"However, anyone can insult me outside," Johari said in response to RSN Rayer (Pakatan Harapan-Jelutong) at the end of Question Time this morning.

"They can call me unqualified, they can call me uneducated. It's not an issue for me.

"I serve the Dewan Rakyat. Whatever happens outside [...] it's not my business," Johari added.

Rayer had cited Hamzah Zainudin's reported remarks on Friday, who said Johari is the first speaker with no legal background, and that his predecessor Azhar Azizan Harun performed better in the post since he "was not a politician".

"I am here colour-blind. I am responsible for both the right side and the left side.

"I am placed here as the person overseeing the proceedings so that decisions that we make will be of benefit to the people.

"YB wants to play politics, go ahead. Don't get me involved," Johari said.

In seeking Johari's response, Rayer also cited a precedent by former Dewan Rakyat speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia on actions taken against an MP over statements made outside the house.

When contacted, Rayer said he was referring to a 2016 incident between then Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng (Harapan-Kepong) and Pandikar.

Lim at the time risked a six-month suspension for "insulting" Pandikar, before the government motion was retracted following his apology.

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