Fiery first day in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: It wasn’t the ideal first day on the job for newly-appointed Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul what with several shouting matches breaking out among parliamentarians.

The loud arguments began when 13 MPs debated the motion calling for a vote of confidence in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s premiership yesterday afternoon.

After Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof tabled the motion – noting that a unity government had been suggested by the King – Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) stood up to say that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s words shouldn’t be used to influence parliamentary sessions.

“If the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had legitimised (Anwar’s leadership), then why are we raising it here?” he asked.

Mohd Sany Hamzah (PH-Hulu Langat), who was in a wheelchair after recent surgery, retorted in reply: “Because we are brave and the previous prime minister wasn’t, and that is why he declared an Emergency,” referring to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, currently chairman of Opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional.

This triggered a reply by Datuk Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa), who dared Mohd Sany, “If you are brave, then stand up!”

A visibly angry Mohd Sany stood up from his wheelchair, saying “I stand up because the Prime Minister today is brave unlike the previous prime minister.”

Shahidan remarked, “This new person who just returned from hospital is a problem.”

A shouting match then ensued between government and Opposition MPs, until Johari intervened and ordered Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) to deliver his speech on the confidence motion.

However, the moment became even more heated when Hamzah cited a report in a foreign news agency known as Agenzianova titled “Malaysia: first full-blown homosexual prime minister in an Islamic country.”

RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) called on the Speaker to demand that Hamzah retract his “rude” and “impolite” remarks.

Opposition MPs then shouted back, claiming that it is a fact.

“It insults the prime minister and stern action has to be taken.

“The government has the responsibility to inform the whole world that Tambun was pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Hamzah said, referring to Anwar who is Tambun MP and the two sodomy convictions that he had faced.

“Tambun should take action against foreign agencies, not only those in the country. We do not want to be seen as a jaguh kampung (village champion),” said Hamzah.

After Hamzah delivered his speech, Mohd Sany stood up and called Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) a “beruk” (ape).

Johari subsequently told Mohd Sany to sit down and he slammed the gavel twice.

“Sit down! If you all aren’t respecting me, then who else? Sit down. Stop being a ‘batu nonsense’,” said Johari, referring to the colloquial term “batu api” (instigator).

“If I hear anyone using unparliamentary words, I will eject them from the House,” said Johari.

“Specifically to newly-elected YBs, learn to be patient first, don’t be an instigator.”

Later on, Johari warned that MPs who spoke without permission would be sent out of the House, after MPs engaged in another shouting match.

After the 12 MPs delivered their speeches, the confidence motion was passed with a simple voice vote.