KJ ‘still with Umno’, despite not being part of Dewan walkout

KUALA LUMPUR: Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin says he is “still with Umno” although he refused to join in the walkout staged by his fellow Opposition MPs on Monday morning.

He said he wanted to be an exemplary Opposition MP, which is why he decided not to join in the walkout, which was staged in protest over the appointment of the Speaker.

“I am an Umno member and I know my limits. But when I am required to give my opinions, I will give them according to what I think it is right,” he said, adding that he was only speaking for himself.

The reason why Khairy Jamaluddin chose to abstain from Barisan Nasional and PAS’ protest in parliament, was because he chose to respect the swearing in ceremony of Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the Speaker for the 14th Parliament.

 Khairy, when quizzed by reporters at the Parliament lobby, said he wasn’t sure if his latest rebellious act would bring about disciplinary action from his party, Umno.

 “I’m not sure about that. I only made a decision based on my views, which is to respect the swearing in ceremony.”

 “Today is the swearing in ceremony, so we have to respect the House and the swearing in ceremony.”

 According to the Rembau MP, lawmakers should instead express their dissatisfaction during debates which will be held after the Parliamentary officiating ceremony by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Tuesday (July 16)

 “We can protest during debates or after the officiating ceremony tomorrow.

 “To me, it’s better if we respect the ceremony and not resort to any actions that might undermine Barisan’s image as a credible opposition.”

Both Khairy and Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman remained seated in the House during the walkout.

Asked if he would be called up for not following the party whip, Khairy said: “I don’t know.”

The Opposition MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat after Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof was sworn in as the Speaker for the 14th Parliament.

They claimed that the appointment process was not transparent and a point of order was raised by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Baru) when Dewan Rakyat secretary Datuk Roosme Hamzah read out the motion proposing Mohamad Ariff as the sole candidate for the post of Speaker.

“I have received a suggestion from the Prime Minister in his letter to the Dewan Rakyat on July 2, 2018. As such the House would like to propose Datuk Mohamad Arif Md Yusof as the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat,” read Roosme.

The motion was then tabled by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and was seconded by his deputy Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Mohamad Ariff was then invited into the august House to take his oath as the Speaker.