Langkawi MP says 'sial' in august house, backbenchers miffed

Summary

• Backbenchers criticise Langkawi MP Suhaimi Abdullah for using the word “sial” (unlucky) in Dewan Rakyat.

• However, the PN MP stresses he used the word to describe the opposition's struggle in failing to deter the constitutional amendments made yesterday.

• Suhaimi eventually retracted the word after a DAP MP raised the standing order.

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PARLIAMENT | Perikatan Nasional MP Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) attempted to school Dewan Rakyat on the definition of the word “sial” following protests over his use of impolite language in the house.

Suhaimi (above) had initially used the word to express his grievances over a WhatsApp message criticising the opposition for abstaining during yesterday’s bloc vote on the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2025, linked with the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA) Bill.

The message, among others, poked fun at the 57 opposition parliamentarians who had opted to withhold their votes, which was passed with the support of 148 MPs.

After reading out the online message during his debate on the PSA Bill today, a visibly cross Suhaimi commented: “Betapa sialnya apa yang berlaku ini” (How unlucky are the happenings now).

For the record, the word “sial” is commonly and colloquially used as an expletive.

DAP MP Chong Zhemin (Harapan-Kampar) took issue with the matter, raising Standing Order 36(4) prohibiting MPs from using offensive language or making sexist remarks.

‘Not an error’

When pressed by Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar), who was standing in to chair the proceedings, for a response to Chong’s accusation, Suhaimi insisted that he had not erred in uttering the word.

“I said the word because I looked at the definition of it - not profitable, always failing in getting something, unlucky, frequently impaired by accidents and always in the dumps.

“The word fits because yesterday we failed (to deter the constitutional amendments) and sometimes we’re in hardships because the speaker does not side with us…that’s why I used the word, it’s good enough,” Suhaimi said.

An unimpressed Shahar chastised him for contravening local manners and instructed him to retract the remark, which Suhaimi agreed to do while quipping: “I’ll add the word to the list of things I can’t say in the Dewan”.

The proposed PSA law is aimed at giving Parliament autonomy in managing its operations and finances, thus separating the legislative branch from the civil service and the power of the executive body.

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