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Key Highlights
Did Anwar lie in Parliament?
Speaker remains anti-hopping gatekeeper
From 13MP to May 13
Did Anwar lie in Parliament?
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim may have shot himself in the foot instead of hitting his intended target, PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin.
Anwar claimed in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday that Muhyiddin had defended giving fuel subsidies to foreigners, saying they too contribute to the country.
He even chided an opposition MP for not being aware of the PN chief’s statement.
However, Muhyiddin said he had never said such a thing and demanded Anwar furnish evidence.
A cursory check by Malaysiakini has not found any remarks by Muhyiddin on fuel subsidies to foreigners.
Making false accusations in Parliament is considered a disciplinary offence. However, it is unlikely that Anwar will face any consequences.
This is because a motion to begin disciplinary proceedings needs to be allowed by the speaker first.
If it is allowed for debate, it then needs to be approved by a majority of MPs. It's not likely that a government MP will support a motion against the premier.
Muhyiddin can't sue Anwar either, as MPs have Parliamentary immunity for remarks they make in the Dewan Rakyat.
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Speaker remains anti-hopping gatekeeper
The Dewan Rakyat speaker maintains discretion over party rules meant to plug an anti-hopping loophole.
Currently, the anti-hopping law only disqualifies MPs who switch or quit parties. This leaves room for MPs to rebel and keep their seats even if they are sacked from the party.
Several parties, including DAP, Umno, and Bersatu, then introduced rules where rebelling was considered quitting.
However, when Bersatu tried to enforce the rule in 2024 against six MPs, current Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul said the loophole plug was unconstitutional.
Bersatu then tried to challenge Johari's ruling in court.
However, the Court of Appeal on Monday upheld a High Court ruling that decisions made by Parliament are immune from judicial review.
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From 13MP to May 13
A PN MP played the May 13 card when debating the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
Pendang MP Awang Hashim claimed that the 13MP lacked any specific plans for bumiputera development, compared to one specific plan to uplift poor Chinese.
Awang then questioned whether the government is trying to trigger another May 13 race riot.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim did outline several plans to help bumiputeras in his 13MP speech, including institutional support to entrepreneurs to become companies worth over RM500 million.
HIGHLIGHTS
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