ATTEMPTS by an Opposition lawmaker to table an emergency motion to strongly condemn several countries allegedly spying on Malaysia was rejected by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
In rejecting a request by Shamsul Iskandar (PKR-Bukit Katil) under Standing Order 18(1), Pandikar Amin said Wisma Putra took steps on Nov 1 to address the issue.
When Datuk Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) and Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) voiced their support for the proposed motion, Pandikar pointed out that he had allowed Shamsul to read this out in the House.
“When I allow a motion to be read out under Standing Order 18(1) and reject it, this means that the Government must take a serious view of it,” he said, adding that he usually rejected any such proposal in chambers itself if he deemed it to be frivolous or for personal agenda.
“That is the reason why sometimes I allow a motion to be read out in Dewan before rejecting it. (For) those that I deny in chambers, sorry to say, I would deny them in the toilet if I had the discretion to do so,” he said, drawing laughter from MPs.
On Nov 1, Wisma Putra had summoned both the Australian High Commissioner and the US ambassador to receive a protest note over the issue.
Yesterday, it said in a statement that it would seek clarification from Singapore over the country’s involvement.
Did you find this article insightful?
