PN stages 'lunch break' walkout after govt moves to censure Wan Saiful

 

PARLIAMENT | The opposition walked out of the Dewan Rakyat in protest today just moments before the lower house went on lunch break.

They left the chambers just as government MPs voted and passed a motion to refer Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) to the Dewan Rakyat’s Rights and Privileges Committee.

The government had wanted to censure Wan Saiful (above, centre) for alleging in the house on Feb 28 and March 21 that his corruption cases could be dropped if he supported Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The motion was tabled by Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said and was passed with a voice vote.

Azalina said the motion aimed to determine if his statements misled the house and harmed the interests of those involved.

Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said

She highlighted the importance of upholding parliamentary integrity and ensuring members adhere to expected standards of conduct in the Dewan Rakyat.

She said the committee has the authority to gather necessary evidence related to the case. She clarified that the committee's findings will not be final but will provide a basis for further action by the Dewan Rakyat.

The committee would later present its recommendations to the Dewan Rakyat, Azalina added.

‘My hands are tied’

Before the vote, Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) had argued that the motion should not proceed as it violated Standing Orders 36(12), 23(1)(g), and 36(2).

This is as the motion was under court consideration and had elements of sub-judice, he said.

Ronald, who is a former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, also took a swipe at speaker Johari Abdul for allowing the motion to be tabled.

“Tasek Gelugor decided not to share all his evidence (with you), and you (Johari) took that as a sign that he is not cooperating?

“You cannot conduct a free trial, but you (should instead) set up a committee under Standing Order 80(a), and then we will give you all the evidence,” he said.

Ronald added that the proposed committee should be chaired by someone other than Johari to ensure its independence.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul

Johari, however, said his hands were tied on the matter.

“I have written to Tasek Gelugor, but he has instead requested more time... he failed (to respond) so I have no other choice.

“We are not here to pass judgment on Tasek Gelugor; we just want him to explain it to the (rights and privileges) committee.

“In the end, the committee will make a decision, not me,” he explained. - Mkini