I’m the victim, Tajuddin says after ejected from Dewan Rakyat

Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman speaks to reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

KUALA LUMPUR: Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) who was ejected from the Dewan Rakyat today said he was the victim and that deputy speaker Nga Kor Ming had favoured DAP MPs over the rest.

He said the commotion began after Pakatan Harapan backbenchers whom he claimed were mostly from DAP jeered at him, prompting him to call them “communists”.

“A lot of backbenchers, especially from DAP, were jeering at me.

“Why didn’t Nga tell them off? Why didn’t he tell them to behave themselves?” he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

Tajuddin had become upset with Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub whom he said had not answered his questions and instead left the hall after handing over the matter to his deputy.

He said he was only asking for the minister who had been present until the question before his during the question and answer session.

He said Salahuddin’s deputy, Sim Tze Tzin, had answered his question on measures to improve the income of farmers, and that he had thanked him for his reply.

But he said he was not allowed a supplementary question to ask where the minister was.

“I was asking a question on behalf of the farmers,” he added. “He should respect that. It was his duty to answer.”

Tajuddin, who is a member of the Umno Supreme Council, also said he had not been ejected from the house as a formal decision was not made.

“He (Nga) is picking on me. What do you want me to do, sit down and smile? And is the speaker always right?

“If he wants to suspend me, suspend me for life,” he said, adding that he would enter and leave the Dewan Rakyat as and when he pleases.

Nga told reporters later that Tajuddin had misbehaved as an MP.

“I regret such behaviour as ample space was given to him to respond, but he chose to throw accusations at the minister.”

Nga said he had told Tajuddin to sit down several times, but that the MP had not obeyed.

Because of this, he said, he had carried out his duties according to Standing Order 44 (2) by suspending Tajuddin for two days. He said Tajuddin was subsequently suspended for four days as he failed to follow his instructions.

He added that he had been neutral in carrying out his duties and had acted in accordance with the rules of the house. - FMT