‘Don’t turn Dewan Rakyat into fish market’, Deputy Speaker raps MPs

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Speaker of Dewan Rakyat Datuk Ramli Mohd Noor rapped several MPs on Thursday (Sept 14) for trying to turn the Dewan Rakyat into a fish market during the debate on the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review.

This came after the MPs engaged in a war of words and used points of Standing Order over a matter raised by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) in his debate speech.

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“Listen, if you all want to speak at the same time, no facts can be recorded and I won’t be able to hear any explanation. So please, I’m asking for your cooperation to hold your horses…let’s not turn this quorum into a fish market,” Ramli chided.

Earlier, Takiyuddin questioned the use of three helicopters by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to attend an event in Sungai Besar, Selangor, which he claimed had caused the Public Works Department to spend tens of thousands of ringgit to prepare a helipad.

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Takiyuddin’s statement prompted Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) to interject and ask for an explanation, while Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) used Standing Order 36 (6) which prohibits an MP from mounting improper motives to any other member.

Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) also stood up and used Standing Order 37 (2) on the power of the Speaker to disallow any MP from seeking clarification if he believes that the intention is simply to interrupt the member holding the floor.

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“These are clear examples of using the points of order to interrupt the speech made by Kota Baru MP,” he said.

At this junction, Lee Chuan How (PH-Ipoh Timur) interjected and claimed that Kiandee’s statement had improper motives.

Ramli then made a ruling that any MP dissatisfied with Takiyuddin’s statement should submit a motion so that the matter could be evaluated by Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. – Bernama