Decision on MPs' appeal in Tajuddin matter this week, says Deputy Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: A decision on the written appeal by Opposition lawmakers against Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) for uttering expletives in the Dewan Rakyat last week is likely to be delivered this week, says Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon (pic).

The Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker said he had received the letter and scheduled a meeting with some of the witnesses.

"I will make a conclusion and respond by this week, and will decide the latest by tomorrow (Tuesday, July 26),” he told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (July 25), referring to Kasthuri Patto's (PH-Batu Kawan) written appeal last week.

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“I have sent a letter to Speaker (Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun) last week for him to summon Pasir Salak and get him to apologise and retract the expletives uttered in this House,” Kasthuri had said.

“We were shocked by the indecent behaviour which is also unacceptable to MPs on both sides of the divide,” she added.

Kasthuri said she was “disappointed” with Rashid’s decision to simply give Tajuddin a warning, adding that there were nine MPs who witnessed the incident where he was said to have uttered expletives when the microphone was turned off.

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“This is not the first time. He is a repeat offender. If (the) Speaker does not use the chair, position and privilege to take stern action against foulmouthed MPs then it will set a dangerous and bad precedent in the history of the House,” she said.

Tajuddin went on a tirade against Opposition lawmakers last week, reportedly calling several women MPs indecent.

The incident was sparked when Tajuddin accused several Opposition MPs of deliberately instigating and provoking their counterparts including the Speaker during debates.

However, Rashid only issued a warning to Tajuddin, adding that the MPs could write to appeal the decision.

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Tajuddin had confronted the Opposition over remarks made by some of the MPs on Tuesday (July 19).

On Tuesday, Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai) said several MPs were prone to making sexist remarks while in the House.

Besides Tajuddin, she also accused Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) and Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) of frequently making sexist remarks.