PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming today suspended Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang) who had disparaged him over a previous comment that the Umno-PAS alliance would give rise to a Taliban state.
"Tanjung Karang's inappropriate and deliberate action to insult the House and ignore the power of the chair, as well as his accusation that the chair is unqualified to hold the position, is an open insult to the chair.
"I now order Tanjung Karang to leave the House for three days," Nga said in handing out the decision.
Yesterday, Noh confronted Nga over the Taliban reference he had made during an event in Perak, and said Nga was unfit for the position of Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker.
Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) protested the decision, pointing out that Noh was not present to defend himself.
He added that it has been the House practice to read out the chair's ruling to the relevant lawmaker.
Mohamed had urged Nga to give a chance to Noh to explain himself and the opportunity to retract his statement. However, Nga refused to budge.
"It is the responsibility of every member of the House to attend the sitting. It is regrettable that Tanjung Karang was not present. It is not the fault of the speaker (to read out the ruling in his absence)," said Nga.
Opposition leader Ismail Sabri replied: "If the speaker can't give an opportunity to Tanjung Karang, I would like to apologise to the speaker for excusing myself from the House when the sitting is chaired by the honourable (Nga)."
"This is your discretion," said Nga curtly.
Ismail then left the Dewan Rakyat in protest, followed by all other BN and PAS MPs.
At least four questions asked by the BN and PAS lawmakers were not answered by ministers and deputy ministers during the question-and-answer session.
Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) entered the House without knowing about the walkout.
When it was his turn to ask the question, he said he received an instruction from the BN whip to leave. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.