PAS MP's debate time flies out the window after claiming PM has majority

 

PARLIAMENT | A government lawmaker today spent the limited minutes he had for a debate in the Dewan Rakyat in a shouting match, after he claimed that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin still commands the majority of support from MPs.

Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PAS-Sik) was allocated five minutes to deliver his debate speech on the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP), a topic that was presented by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) earlier today.

However, just moments into his speech which he started by praising Khairy for managing the NIP, Tarmizi (above) suddenly brought up the issue of Muhyiddin's majority.

"I want to correct what Bangi (DAP MP Ong Kian Ming) said earlier. Pagoh (Muhyiddin) actually still commands enough majority for us to continue this Perikatan Nasional (PN) government.

"We will prove it. And we have proven it," he said.

Tarmizi's remarks instantly invited an uproar from opposition MPs, including Cha Kee Chin (Harapan-Rasah) who asked the PAS politician to prove the claim.

Tarmizi replied: "We have proven it when we (the Parliament) approved Budget 2021."

For the record, the budget bill was passed by the Dewan Rakyat about eight months ago on Dec 15, 2020, with a three-vote majority.

The Kedah representative's answer further riled up MPs seated on the opposition side of the House, who challenged him to prove the prime minister's majority there and then.

This included RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong), who pointed out the proof that Tarmizi was referring to happened before Umno decided to withdraw its support for Muhyiddin and demand for the premier to step down.

Rayer also requested the Dewan Rakyat speaker to reprimand Tarmizi, claiming that the latter made a false statement that confused the House.

The verbal altercation and shouting match lasted for several minutes and ended with speaker Azhar Azizan Harun telling Tarmizi that his time was up.

"I haven't had a chance to debate yet," Tarmizi protested.

Azhar declined to give him more time and ordered the next MP on the debate list Akmal Nasir (Harapan-Johor Bahru) to start debating. - Mkini