Appeal ruling on ‘mamak pasembur’, Rayer told

 

Jelutong MP RSN Rayer said the term ‘mamak pasembur’ could be seen as being disrespectful to Indian Muslims and should not be allowed in Parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR: 

A DAP MP was told to appeal a ruling on the term “mamak pasembur”, which he insisted was an offensive term, despite a deputy speaker deciding otherwise.

RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said the term, which was uttered by an opposition MP, had offended the Indian Muslim community.

Yesterday, Rayer had taken issue with the no-show by Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor and Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (PN-Alor Setar) at an event attended by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Afnan, who is also Sanusi’s political secretary, then implied that their absence was due to certain protocols that were in place as Anwar is not “some mamak pasembur” who could travel anywhere he pleases, adding that the prime minister’s visits were managed by his officers.

Rayer objected immediately to the term, saying it was inappropriate.

However, deputy speaker Shahar Abdullah dismissed the concern, saying the phrase was just an analogy and didn’t break any parliamentary rules.

Today, Rayer raised the issue again, asking Shahar to reconsider, saying the term could be seen as being disrespectful to Indian Muslims and should not be allowed in Parliament.

Shahar then told Rayer that if he was unhappy with his decision, he could appeal against his ruling through the Speaker. - FMT