Speaker vows sterner stance on racist, sexist, seditious remarks

PARLIAMENT | Following last week’s controversies in the Dewan Rakyat, speaker Azhar Azizan Harun has cautioned that action will be taken against Members of Parliament (MPs) who utter “seditious, racist, rude, and sexist” remarks during proceedings.

“My deputies and I will take action based on the standing orders of the Dewan Rakyat sitting if these words continue to be used by MPs in this august House.

“I also take this opportunity to remind all MPs and myself that we are here in this House carrying the rakyat’s heavy hopes on our shoulders,” Azhar (photo, above) said at the start of today’s sitting.

This, he said, was following a meeting on the issue with party whips yesterday, including Azmin Ali (Bersatu-Gombak) representing the government; Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Umno-Bagan Datuk); Hamzah Zainudin (Bersatu-Larut); Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bahru); Fadillah Yusof (PBB-Petra Jaya); Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani); Alice Lau (DAP-Lanang); Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (Amanah-Hulu Langat); Maszlee Malik (IND-Simpang Renggam), and Shahidan Kassim (Umno-Arau) who is the parliamentary backbenchers' chairperson.

“All party whips unanimously agreed to renew their commitment to defend the standing orders of the Dewan Rakyat sitting and ensure that seditious, racist, rude, and sexist remarks are not used by MPs,” Azhar said.

Last week, Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Umno-Baling) made headlines for making racist and sexist remarks against Kasthuriraani Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan) in the Dewan Rakyat.

Following criticism online and an order from Azhar, Abdul Azeez later apologised. - Mkini