Speaker acted beyond his power in suspending Pendang MP - PN

PARLIAMENT | Perikatan Nasional MPs rallied today in defence of Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang), who was suspended for 10 days over a TikTok video allegedly insulting Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul.

The coalition’s chief whip Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) argued that the action against Awang was unconstitutional.

Takiyuddin pointed out that parliamentary rules stipulate that any action or punishment against Dewan Rakyat members, including the speaker, must pertain only to events occurring within the Dewan Rakyat.

Johari’s (above) directive against Awang over remarks made outside the chamber violated this principle, he said.

“That is the protocol within the chamber, not outside it.

“I believe the speaker’s decision does not follow the rules and is, in my view, unconstitutional,” he added during parliamentary debates today.

He cited incidents involving opposition MPs during previous administrations, where the speaker did not apply parliamentary rules for incidents outside the Dewan Rakyat.

Takiyuddin also referenced court rulings regarding cases involving opposition MPs.

“The courts have said that for proceedings in the Dewan Rakyat, the speaker has the authority to suspend MPs - whether for six months, 12 months, or 10 days - that is his prerogative. That is for things that happened in the Dewan Rakyat.

“But on things like salary that are not in the Standing Orders, it’s like doing something outside the Dewan Rakyat that is said to insult the speaker - it’s not in the Standing Orders.

“The court has also said the move to cut Gobind Singh Deo’s (Harapan-Puchong) allowances is unconstitutional.

“This is similar to suspending the Pendang MP for 10 days over something done outside the Dewan Rakyat - it is unconstitutional,” he stressed.

Awang’s suspension

Expressing his disappointment, Takiyuddin criticised Johari’s actions.

“As everyone can see, the speaker’s decision is like what was done before. We want to show Malaysians how Parliament is being handled by the government of the day.

“The speaker is a speaker for the government, not the Dewan Rakyat speaker. The speaker only thinks of the government’s interest,” Takiyuddin said.

Awang was suspended on Dec 5 over a TikTok video he posted on July 18 that is critical of Johari. Johari stated the suspension came after multiple attempts to seek an apology were ignored, including a letter sent on July 22.

“The statement and actions insulted the speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, who is appointed under Article 47(1) of the Federal Constitution and performs duties based on Dewan Rakyat’s standing orders.

“The negative statement through TikTok is not only a serious allegation, but also violates the rights and privileges of MPs and an insult to the august house,” he said during Dewan Rakyat proceedings.

In the video, the PAS lawmaker labelled the speaker a “tyrant” for past rulings to suspend opposition MPs, including Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

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