Art Harun warns MPs: Action will be taken if racist, sexist, seditious words used in Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun warns lawmakers that action will be taken if racist, sexist or seditious words are used in Dewan Rakyat.

Azhar, also known as Art Harun, said that on Monday (July 20), he had met party whips and they unanimously pledged support to ensure racist, sexist or rude ("biadab") remarks are not made by MPs.

"My Deputies and I will take actions based on the Standing Orders against lawmakers who utter such words or comments in the House.

"I will also like to take the opportunity to remind Yang Berhormats and myself of the great responsibility of upholding the decorum in the House, which is the hope of the rakyat," he told lawmakers before the proceedings started on Tuesday (July 21).

Azhar also said the people expected lawmakers to raise their woes and problems in the Dewan Rakyat, with the hope that their issues will be resolved.

"As such, please debate in a polite manner and uphold the decorum of the House," he added.

Last week, Azhar had ordered Umno lawmaker Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to apologise and retract the alleged sexist and racist remarks made against Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto.

Kasthuri had questioned in the Dewan last week why there were no women included in the Select Committees.

Abdul Azeez had then said "tak nampak lah, gelap (It is dark, I cannot see)" and "I am also dark. What is the problem?" after an uproar by Opposition MPs.