I was overwhelmed by emotions, says Gerik MP on his 'episode' in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Gerik MP Fathul Huzir Ayob said he was overwhelmed by emotions when he suffered breathing difficulties during debates in Parliament on Monday (Feb 20).

"There was no problem (with me). I just became a bit emotional when raising issues affecting the people in Gerik.

"The Gerik parliamentary seat was vacant for two years after the former MP Datuk Hasbullah Osman passed away in November 2020.

"This left many issues in Gerik hanging and unresolved," he said in a press conference in Parliament lobby on Tuesday (Feb 21).

He said that he became overwhelmed by emotions when thinking of the people of Gerik and their high expectations of him as their MP.

On Monday (Feb 20), there was a brief scare in the Dewan Rakyat when Fathul encountered breathing difficulties five minutes into his debate on the motion of thanks on the Royal Address.

He was seen fidgeting and loosening his tie while speaking in a muffled manner when touching on several matters on rural development, inflation and border issues affecting Gerik.

Several MPs stood up and raised their concern over Fathul's condition, prompting Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor to order Fathul to seek medical attention from the Parliament doctor.

He was later wheeled out of the august House and accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof to the Parliament clinic.

Meanwhile, Fathul said that he was given a bill of clean health following his examination by the Parliament doctor.

"Please don't say I had a panic attack.

"The doctor said I am still young and healthy and can still have my teh tarik," he quipped.