Pendang MP apologises, speaker retracts four-day suspension

PARLIAMENT | Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul has retracted a suspension imposed on Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) from attending the parliamentary sitting for four days.

This comes after Awang heeded the opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin’s advice to apologise to Johari and withdrew the statement he made that caused him to be suspended.

Awang: I was told that I was suspended for four days, I am ready to accept it. But I want an explanation before I leave the Dewan. What did I do wrong? I don’t want the speaker to make an emotional decision.

Johari: I asked you to withdraw (your statement), but you did not. So I suspended you for four days, so Pendang please leave.

Hamzah: I request for Pendang to withdraw (your statement), don’t argue. Apologise and withdraw.

Awang: Okay, I apologise and withdraw my statement.

Johari: Okay, settle.

However, neither Johari nor Awang clarified what was said by the PAS lawmaker that led to the suspension.

Johari made the ruling earlier when the opposition bloc protested against Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s speech to congratulate Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s appointment as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Emotional decision

The opposition bloc had later staged a temporary walkout but has since returned to the august house to participate in the debate on the royal address.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul

Speaking at a press conference shortly after the walkout, Awang accused Johari of being emotional with the suspension, saying he did not know the reason for his suspension.

“I was suspended without any (basis). I did not say anything to pressure the speaker. I only walked out and I was suspended for four days.

“Is this an emotional decision? Of course, it is. (The speaker) has been emotional with every decision made so far. If he says he wants to be fair, let it be to all parties.”

Awang returned to the Dewan Rakyat to seek clarity behind the suspension, despite being ejected earlier, insisting that he did not hear the ruling by Johari.

Before overturning his decision on the suspension, Johari said he regarded Awang as his friend.

However, Johari stressed that Awang must show some respect when the former is chairing the Dewan Rakyat.

“Of all the opposition leaders, I respect Pendang the most. He is my friend and my officer, but when I told him to retract his statement, he refused to do so by saying ‘I will not retract’.

“When I tell you to retract your statement, what’s wrong with saying ‘Speaker, I apologise and I retract’?” Johari questioned. - Mkini