Zahid praises Nga as 'an example of a fair speaker'

PARLIAMENT | Newly minted Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming won praise from opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on his first day of presiding the sitting of Parliament today.

This came after Nga accepted Zahid's explanation that he (Zahid) did not accuse Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad personally as being 'munafik' (a hypocrite).

"This is not only that we are neighbours, but because this is the example of a fair speaker," said Zahid, referring to his Bagan Datuk constituency being adjacent to Nga's Teluk Intan constituency.

Earlier, Zahid slammed Pakatan Harapan for not able to fulfil its election manifesto and said only a 'munafik' would lie and not fulfil his or her promise.

"A manifesto is a promise. When you cannot fulfil in 100 days (as pledged) and then say the manifesto is not a Bible, cannot lah.

"If you cannot do it, then (you should) admit it instead of spinning (the matter)," Zahid said when debating on the royal address to the Dewan Rakyat.

"What is the element of being a 'munafik'? They make empty promises, they lie," he said.

At this juncture, RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) stood up and demanded that Zahid retract the derogatory word against Mahathir.

After several heated exchanges, Nga then instructed Zahid (photo) to explain who he referred to when he said 'munafik'.

"I wasn't referring to anyone, but said that munafik is not the kind of character we should have," Zahid said.

Nga then ruled: "After listening to what Bagan Datuk (MP) said, in principle, he was not referring to the prime minister. He was just making a general remark, so then it is not prejudiced."

In his maiden speech to the Dewan Rakyat, Nga urged the lawmakers to learn the lesson from the first day of the sitting, which was marred by the hurling of insults among several MPs and led to Ramkarpal Singh (Harapan-Bukit Gelugor) being ejected from the House.

"I invite all the honourable members to look into these issues. Is what you say beneficial to the people or do you just want to be a hero without substance?

"Will the people be proud of your debate and behaviour or will they be ashamed by your behaviour? Is your debate based on facts and statistics or is it just empty rhetoric?" he asked the lawmakers and went on to call for their full cooperation.

Nga then pledged to give adequate space and opportunity to all lawmakers to voice out in Parliament.

"However, if anyone is stubborn and purposely causes chaos or utters unparliamentary words, then I will have to use the clauses of the Standing Order to get the lawmakers to go out and rest or be suspended for not more than 10 days," he said. - Mkini