KUALA LUMPUR: PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang's statement that the Opposition had every right to try and topple the unity government struck a nerve among several MPs.
The incident led to a brief shouting match in the Dewan Rakyat, forcing Deputy Speaker Alice Lau to warn MPs that they would be booted out of the House if they continued to cross swords over the issue.
The shouting match was sparked by RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who brandished a report from The Star to draw attention to Abdul Hadi's statement, saying that it was treasonous.
"It was reported today that Marang (Abdul Hadi's parliamentary constituency) had stated that the other side is planning to topple the government.
"I demand the Home Minister to investigate as it is against the law under the Penal Code," Rayer said when debating Budget 2023 in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 7).
He said Abdul Hadi had committed an offence for trying to undermine a government which was democratically elected.
Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar) stood up, and said that according to the rules of the House, an MP should not make any malicious assumption against another.
"YB (Rayer) said that YB Marang (Abdul Hadi) was in the midst of planning and this is a malicious assumption.
"YB Marang did not say this but was merely making a political statement by looking at the current developments," Mohd Misbahul said.
Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) told Rayer to retract his malicious statement against Abdul Hadi.
Several MPs from both sides joined in the shouting match with Rayer insisting that Abdul Hadi's remarks were reported by the media.
Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) also challenged several government backbenchers to lodge a police report against Abdul Hadi if they had evidence.
Lau called for calm and told MPs involved in the shouting match to cool down.
"Don't get heated in the House. If you feel hot, please take a rest," she said as she ordered Rayer to wrap up his debate.
She said there will be no more interruptions from the floor as she had already requested Fathul Huzir Ayob (PN-Gerik) to start his debate on the Budget.
Che Mohamad then stood up, citing Standing Order 23(I), saying that a newspaper report cannot be used to verify or deny a particular matter.
He said he will try to clarify what Abdul Hadi meant by his statement, resulting in another exchange of words between both sides.
Lau then sternly told MPs that they would be requested to leave the House if they continued to speak without permission.
Her warning was heeded.
On Monday (March 6), Abdul Hadi told reporters in the Parliament lobby that no one can stop the Opposition from making plans to topple the government.
Despite criticism of his remarks, the PAS president said his claim was "merely political" and "normal" in politics.
During his debate on Budget 2023 on Feb 28, the Marang MP told the Dewan Rakyat that Perikatan Nasional should not be blamed if the government collapsed.
Instead, the government should acknowledge its own flaws and weaknesses, he added.
At another event subsequently, he repeated his prediction that the current administration would fall soon.
On March 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it was Abdul Hadi's right to plan and dream of the government collapsing.
