Speaker ejects 2 DAP MPs

Gobind Singh Deo and fellow DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng got sent off from the Dewan Rakyat today. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 19, 2015.

Two DAP lawmakers, Segambut's Lim Lip Eng and Puchong's Gobind Singh Deo, were ordered out from the Dewan Rakyat today, for disturbing the parliamentary proceedings.

Lim was booted out after questioning why his motion on toll hikes was rejected while Gobind was sent out after he stood up to defend Lim and refused to adhere to Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia's order for him to sit down.

Lim had interjected right after lawmakers voted on the new members of the select committee, questioning Pandikar who had rejected his motion on toll hikes in chambers.

He said his motion should not be rejected as Pandikar had earlier shot down Teresa Kok's (DAP - Seputeh) emergency motion on the disappearance of Orang Asli schoolchildren in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

An exasperated Pandikar said the opposition lawmaker should raise this immediately after Question Hour which ends at 11.30am, and not while proceedings were still in progress.

"When I reject any motions in chambers, you know I will not review my decisions," the Speaker said, adding that he believed Lim's intention was to disrupt proceedings.

This caused Lim to say that the Speaker's decision may not be the "right decision", leading to Pandikar's move to eject him from the House.

Gobind then rushed to Lim's defence, questioning Pandikar's rationale in booting out his DAP colleague.

"Tan Sri Speaker, you have to be clear and honest in whatever decision that you make," the Puchong MP said.

This further enraged the Speaker, who accused him of questioning his (Pandikar's) integrity.

Pandemonium in the House erupted with the Speaker ordering the Dewan Rakyat's men at arms to escort Lim out, while Gobind tried to explain his remarks but also refused to retract them.

Pandikar then ordered Gobind to be escorted out.

At the parliament lobby later, Lim said his motion on toll hikes was an important matter.

"I wanted the government to debate on this, and for MPs to scrutinise the concession agreements but the motion was rejected by Speaker in chambers," he said.

Gobind said the reason given by Pandikar for the rejection was questionable.

"In arriving at a decision, a correct decision needs to be made so (that there is) no allegation of dishonesty.

"I want him (Speaker) to explain so that there is no perception of dishonesty on the part of the House," he said.

Gobind said MPs should be given room to ask for clarification or explanations on any issue.

He also denied he was rude to Pandikar by questioning his integrity.

"I did not say he was dishonest."

- TMI