KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — Pendang Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Awang Hashim, from Perikatan Nasional (PN), has been ejected and suspended from attending the Dewan Rakyat sitting for two days, starting today.
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker, Datuk Johari Abdul, issued the order after Awang made several attempts to interrupt Economy Minister, Rafizi Ramli’s winding up debate, on the Supply Bill 2023 at the policy level.
Rafizi, however, did not tolerate Awang interrupting his winding up session, until Johari had to issue the order.
“I suspend Pendang (Awang) for two days. Out now,” said Johari.
Johari’s order against Awang caused a shouting match, as the government bloc also called for Awang to leave the House, but several MPs from the opposition bloc, including Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), stood up to defend Awang.
Ahmad Marzuk rose to say that Rafizi called Awang a ‘clown’, and it was not a worthy word of being spoken in Parliament.
Rafizi admitted to saying the word and was later asked by Johari to retract his statement against Awang.
“I retract my statement that Pendang is a clown,” said Rafizi, then Johari still ordered Awang to leave the Dewan Rakyat session.
Johari’s instructions still cause dissatisfaction among the opposition bloc, including Ahmad Marzuk, who believes the Speaker’s decision is unfair and should have warned Awang first.
“I said that if a minister does not allow an MP to intervene, don’t raise anything. I have told him (Pendang) to stand down many times already because the minister didn’t allow him to intervene,” said Johari.
“I feel I cannot control the House anymore as people want to hear what we are discussing. That is why Pendang is being suspended today and tomorrow. Please leave,” said Johari.
However, a shouting match ensued as Awang refused to leave the House, and several MPs from the government bloc were even heard calling for Awang to leave, until Johari had to order them to remain silent.
“Pendang with all due respect, I am asking you to (leave). Pendang is out for two days,” said Johari who then asked Rafizi to continue his winding up session.
Awang finally agreed and left the Dewan Rakyat.
