PARLIAMENT | An outcry in the Dewan Rakyat today over the ashes of the late Chin Peng eventually led to the suspension of two lawmakers - Khoo Poay Teong (Harapan-Kota Melaka) and Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak).
They were suspended for refusing to follow orders from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.
The incident started during Question Time, with an altercation between RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) and Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling), as the former was asking Education Minister Maszlee Malik whether the government had plans to teach school students about Harapan leaders such as the late Karpal Singh and Iskandar Puteri MP Lim Kit Siang.
Rayer suggested that the two DAP leaders were better moral examples than former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
This led Azeez to suggest that students should also be taught about the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which sparked the first round of outcry from Rayer and other DAP MPs, prompting Mohamad Ariff to call for calm.
As Rayer attempted to proceed, Tajuddin, who slapped his forehead and laughed, said: "Excuse me, is that Chin Peng ashes or what? ... I don't want Jelutong to be accused of wearing 'Chin Peng's ashes' on his forehead."
The white mark often seen on Rayer's forehead represents Hindu holy ash or vibhuti.
Rayer demanded that Tajuddin retract his statement, which insulted Hindus in Malaysia, and the Umno lawmaker eventually said, "Okay lah, I retract lah, there is no problem."
The proceedings briefly resumed with Maszlee's response to Rayer, followed by the tabling of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019.
The outcry, however, continued with BN lawmakers berating Rayer for accusing BN of insulting Hindus.
Several MPs on both sides stood up to raise a point of orders, while former deputy speaker Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) pointed out that the proceedings should continue as Tajuddin had retracted his remarks.
Shahidan claimed Jelutong had said BN as a whole had insulted Hindus, while the latter insisted he was only referring to Tajuddin as a BN MP.
Mohd Ariff said he did not hear Rayer's remarks against BN, but ordered for it to be retracted if true.
Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) and Rayer then both claimed Mohd Ariff was being unfair.
Mohd Ariff (above) eventually declared that he had heard enough and ordered all the lawmakers, including Khoo who attempted to raise a point of order, to sit down.
"Kota Melaka (Khoo), Pasir Salak, please leave the House for not following Speaker's orders," he said.
Khoo reluctantly agreed to leave, but stressed, "I would like to put on record that this is not the way to control the House."
Tajuddin, meanwhile, continued to mock the ruling as he thanked Mohd Ariff.
"Thank you so much. I also have the Umno General Assembly to attend," Tajuddin said, prompting even more outcry for Mohd Ariff to take sterner action against him.
At a press conference later, Khoo said he had attempted to raise a point of order to defend the Dewan Rakyat's dignity against such statements with the tendency to incite racial-religious tension.
"Why did I insist? Because we always see how he (Tajuddin) agrees to retract his statements, but the way he does it seems insincere and not serious.
"When the Speaker ordered him to leave for two days, he said can even add more days as he has to attend the Umno AGM," said Khoo.
"That is an insult to the Speaker and the Dewan Rakyat," he said.
Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh (above) also that Tajuddin had crossed the line, and the DAP will discuss whether they will file a motion for further action to be taken.
A MIC Youth leader has since urged Tajuddin to apologise to all Malaysians practising the Hindu religion.
"Tajuddin's action does not reflect at all the standards that should be possessed by someone who bears the title of Member of Parliament because clearly he does not respect the sensitivities of those in the Indian community who practice Hinduism in Malaysia.
"This does not only shame the Dewan Rakyat, but also BN as a whole because there are racist BN MPs like Tajuddin, even though we always claim that BN is a party for all Malaysians regardless of race or religious background," said Arvind Krishnan, who is the MIC Youth political bureau chief.
He said it would be better for Tajuddin to step down from his position if he cannot understand basic matters such as this.
Meanwhile, Batu MP P Prabakaran said it is not appropriate to make fun of the culture and religion of someone, especially those of a parliamentarian.
"Guaranteeing friendly relations among various races and religions is the responsibility of an MP.
"Any examples which can muddy the situation and worsen the relationship among races and religions in this country should be avoided," he said. - Mkini
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