PARLIAMENT | A PAS lawmaker has slammed Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof for instructing that the microphone be removed from the table of an opposition lawmaker, who had been suspended from the House for two days.
Although acknowledging that this is a petty issue, Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) said it is shameful for the speaker to do something that is not in compliance with the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat.
"We are seeing the microphone of Pasir Salak (MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman) removed from his table," he said during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.
"I am seeking your advice if the speaker himself instructed the removal of the microphone? Is it the new practice of the speaker or the government?" the PAS secretary-general asked.
He questioned how this could be done when the Standing Orders were silent about taking away the microphone of any member of the House.
"His chair is still intact, not removed," Takiyuddin said, in jest.
Ariff (above) admitted he gave instructions for Tajuddin's microphone to be taken away.
"If the honourable (MP) can give assurance that (the MPs) will go out after having been told so, then there will be no removal of the microphone," he said.
The speaker also said he has the discretion to make such a ruling, and that not all rulings are listed in black and white.
"This was based on discretion. Not all matters are related to the written (Standing Orders). Just like (the speaker) instructing a Member of Parliament to sit down," he said.
Disagreeing, Takiyuddin said the move must be based on the Standing Orders.
"This is shameful of the Parliament. Is this the place we uphold the independence of the House? " said Takiyuddin.
Ariff replied: "If anyone is stubborn, then (his or her) microphone will be removed again."
Last Thursday, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon suspended Tajuddin from the House for two days after a shouting match in the House on the controversial Kampung Baru issue.
Tajuddin had accused Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad of being the broker for the Kampung Baru land swap deal. - Mkini
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