Alleged lewd gesture ignites resignation dare in the House

PARLIAMENT A DAP lawmaker challenged his BN counterpart to resign if it can be proven that the latter flashed an obscene hand gesture at him in the Dewan Rakyat.

“Can the CCTV (recording) be shown?” thundered a furious M Kulasegaran.

“If he did show (the vulgar gesture), he resigns. If he didn't show it, then I resign," added the Ipoh Barat MP.

Kulasegaran, together with several opposition lawmakers, claimed that Aaron Dagong (BN-Kanowit) had directed the vulgar gesture towards him.

Aaron repeatedly denied that he had made such a gesture, arguing that he only wanted Kulasegaran to be seated.

The incident occurred when Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) debated the Employee's Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2015.

"I have been an MP for 20 years, the debate brought by (the opposition) saddens me, not one word was uttered in gratitude to the BN government," said Azeez referring to Kulasegaran’s earlier remarks.

"A minister (Richard Riot), the most patient one, has stood up... I don't know what kind of person you are.

"If you want to talk about who is the bigger champion for the community, you don't even reach my toes," he lambasted the opposition lawmaker.

Kulasegaran had condemned the provisions of the bill, prompting Human Resources Minister Riot to stand up and voice his protest.

Peeved with Azeez’s criticism, the DAP launched a retort.

Soon after this, Kulasegaran claimed that Aaron made the gesture amid the quarrel.

Deputy speaker sules such actions unparliamentary

Despite claiming not to have seen the gesture, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee ruled that such actions were unparliamentary.

An opposition lawmaker was also heard uttering the word 'bastard'.

Meanwhile, Noor Ehsanuddin Mohd Harun Narrashid (BN-Kota Tinggi) complained that Kula had blurted out the word ‘bastard’.

“Ipoh Barat said bastard, retract it,” he demanded.

The deputy speaker then verified with Kula, which the latter said,”I didn’t say it, but I said stupid fellow.”

“The word bastard and stupid are unparliamentary,” ruled Ronald.

A few opposition lawmakers demanded the House to get a copy of CCTV recording to clear up the matter as the duo were making contradictory remark, which angered the deputy speaker.

“I ruled that it was unparliamentary to do the sign, I am not accusing Kanowit (MP). I am confident he is a man with integrity, if he says he did not do it, than he didn’t,” he said.

“There is no need for you to go further to say: you resign, I resign. This is not in the House’s Standing Orders,” he added.

Ronald dismissed the demand, saying the House only takes the CCTV footage of the lawmakers who turn on their microphone and speak.

This ended the quarrels which had gone on for nearly half an hour. -Mkini