Kota Belud MP’s two day suspension from Dewan Rakyat remains

KUALA LUMPUR: The two-day suspension of Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis from the Dewan Rakyat has been upheld, although Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon was earlier heard saying that he would retract the ejection order.

"No, it was not retracted. I am confirmed suspended for two days. Checked with the SUDR (Dewan Rakyat Secretary) already," Isnaraissah told The Star.

Isnaraissah was booted out of the Dewan Rakyat and issued a two-day suspension after she pressed on the House to address the issue of the Sulu Sultanate’s claim on PETRONAS’ asset.

However, Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun who presided over the session rejected her motion and went on with the order of business.

Azhar later explained that he had to reject the motion as it would be subjudice since there were ongoing proceedings involving the matter abroad.

Azhar went on to invite Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan to go on with tabling the reading of the National Forestry (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon who took over the session then ordered Isnaraissah to leave the House and issued her a two-day suspension, after she did not heed his warning to stop interjecting as the House went on with the business.

"I order Kota Belud to leave the House," he said.

Isnaraissah, however, refused to budge with several Opposition MP’s coming to her support and some calling for the retraction of the ejection order.

"Speaker, what is important? The country’s sovereignty or the forest?," she asked.

Earlier, she had cited the Standing Orders requesting for the matter to be discussed in the Dewan Rakyat.

"Speaker, you have rejected my motion in the Dewan Rakyat on the Sulu claim for the third time," she said while stressing that the nation’s sovereignty was at stake.

"You don’t care because it is Sabah? Because Sulu laid claim on Sabah and not other states?," she said.

Rashid was heard briefly saying he would retract the suspension if Isnaraissah abided by the rules in the House.

"Okay, I allow with the condition that Kota Belud must comply to the rules of the house," he said.

He also said that she could submit an appeal on the rejection of her motion.