PARLIAMENT | Two emergency motions to debate the riots linked to the move to demolish the Seafield temple in Subang Jaya, brought by lawmakers across the political divide, were rejected by Dewan Rakyat today.
Instead, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today addressed the issue through ministerial statements to the Dewan Rakyat.
"Both motions have been rejected," Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof announced.
Ariff said this in response to Ronald Kiandee (BN-Beluran, photo above) who questioned the fate of the same motion brought by Fahmi Fadzil (Harapan-Lembah Pantai).
According to Ronald, he received a letter from the speaker explaining that his motion was rejected as the House should not deal with more than one motion a day.
Without explaining further, Ariff said Fahmi's motion was rejected as well.
On Tuesday, both Ronald and Fahmi submitted separate motionsto debate the Nov 26 Seafield temple riots, which led to unrest in the community.
However, the government chose to respond to the matter under Article 14(1)(i) of the Dewan Rakyat's Standing Order, which stipulates that an explanation can be given by a minister, instead of allowing the House to debate a matter via an emergency motion brought under Article 18(1) of the Standing Order.
When contacted, Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming (photo) said pursuant to the Standing Order, the minister's statement must be given priority by the House.
"This is the correct decision (made by Dewan Rakyat)," Nga said.
Asked if the House rejected the motions to prevent the issue from going out of hand after the debates by the lawmakers, he said this was a speculative question.
"I don't want to go into it. The statements of Mahathir and Muhyiddin were very clear, firm and decisive.
"The country is now clear of what had happened and their speeches will diffuse the tension as well as cool down the situation," Nga said.
The intrusion into the Seafield temple grounds in the early hours of Monday had sparked a riot after devotees, who had gathered to protect the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, clashed with the intruders.
Tensions from the initial riot boiled over to the next night, when rioters, who had gathered again on the pretext of defending the temple, attacked and seriously injured a firefighter.
A group of Malay youths had gathered near the temple on the night of Nov 27 and the police arrested at least nine of them. - Mkini
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