BN lawmakers stage walkout after Tajuddin, Bung Moktar booted out

Bung Moktar was among two MP asked to leave the August hall after they refused to heed Mohd Rashid's call not to interrupt proceedings.

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional lawmakers staged a walkout from Dewan Rakyat after two of their MPs were booted out of the House by Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon.

Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Datuk Bung Moktar Radin were asked to leave the August hall after they refused to heed Mohd Rashid's call not to interrupt proceedings.

Mohd Rashid ordered the House Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the two MPs out.

"The Deputy Speaker need not order me out as I am leaving the House myself," Tajuddin said in defiance on Monday (Dec 10).

Both Tajuddin and Bung Moktar were seen leaving the House with Barisan MPs walking out in protest of Mohd Rashid's ruling.

The incident happened when Datuk C. Sivarraajh (BN-Cameron Highlands) walked into the House to take his seat as Chan Ming Kai (PH-Alor Setar) was about to begin debating on the Finance Bill 2018.

Bung Moktar stood up under Standing Order 36(6) asking Mohd Rashid to get R.S.N Rayer (PH-Jelutong) to retract his allegations and apologise to Sivarraajh.

"His (Rayer) malicious allegation had resulted in YB Sivarraajh being asked to leave the House and loss his qualification as an MP for two days.

"He must apologise for this," he said. 

A shouting match ensued between several Barisan and Pakatan Harapan lawmakers when Rayer refused to apologise.

Mohd Rashid told lawmakers that Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof had resolved the issue earlier in the day and his ruling was final.

However, Tajuddin and Bung Moktar refused to heed Mohd Rashid's call not to interrupt the proceedings.

"The matter is not resolved until Rayer apologises as it involves an important issue and we seek justice," Tajuddin said.

In Parliament lobby, senior Barisan lawmaker Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that they decided to stage the walkout in protest of Mohd Rashid ordering Tajuddin and Bung Moktar out.

He said that Rayer should apologise to Sivarraajh as it was his allegations last week that result in the latter being ruled "a stranger to the House".

Earlier on Monday, Mohamad Ariff made a ruling that Sivarraajh was allowed to attend Dewan Rakyat proceedings until his appeal process against the recent Election Court's decision to nullify his victory for the Cameron Highlands constituency is completed.

Last Wednesday (Dec 6), Mohamad Ariff ordered Sivarraajh to leave the Dewan after Rayer raised the matter.