Speaker says motion to discipline Takiyuddin for misleading Parliament 'expired'

 

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun argued that a motion from the previous Parliament sitting to discipline Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) for misleading the house has "expired".

Takiyuddin, who was the de facto law minister then, had told Parliament in July that emergency ordinances had been revoked on July 21 - a claim which the Yang di-Pertuan Agong later rebutted.

A motion to refer him to the rights and privileges committee was then filed, but the Parliament sitting had been prorogued before Azhar could give an answer.

Gobind Singh Deo (Harapan-Puchong) raised the matter in the Dewan Rakyat again today, and asked Azhar to make a ruling.

Gobind Singh Deo (Harapan-Puchong)

However, Azhar said the motion had expired, and that a new motion should be filed instead.

"Before I could make a decision on the motion, the meeting ended. It can be filed again," he said.

He cited Standing Order 15(5) to justify his decision.

The Standing Order reads: A Private Members’ motion which has been moved but not disposed of at a meeting of the House shall, upon due notice given by the mover for continuance thereof at a subsequent meeting, take precedence at such subsequent meeting over other Private Members’ motions.

Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu)

Gobind argued that the same standing order meant that a motion can be carried over.

However, the speaker refused to entertain this and subsequently left the House to make way for his deputy Rashid Hasnon - who had been summoned to explain about a separate motion to remove Azhar from his position.

Takiyuddin had been demoted from law minister to energy and natural resources minister under Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's cabinet. - Mkini