MPs must get their facts right before speaking, says Salahuddin

SUBANG JAYA: Members of Parliament should get their facts right before making statements in the august House, says Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.

“To all MPs regardless of bloc: if you’re not sure, don’t just make accusations or allegations. Parliament is not a coffee shop. You must be responsible for everything you say,” he told the media after an event at Mydin here on Wednesday (March 15).

His comments were in relation to PAS' Kuantan MP Wan Razali Wan Nor who claimed in the Dewan Rakyat that the recent Women’s March Malaysia was a pro-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) gathering.

ALSO READ: Speaker tells PAS lawmaker to retract claim women's march was actually about LGBT

On Tuesday (March 14), Speaker Datuk Johari Abdul asked Wan Razali to retract his statement.

"The Speaker asked him (Wan Razali) if he was sure (about the pro-LGBT allegation) and he said he was not. If you’re not sure, then don’t say anything," said Salahuddin, who is the Domestic Trade and Living Costs Minister.

According to a statement by the organising committee of Sunday's (March 12) march, it aimed to bring people together to call for gender equality, justice and an end to all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

Among other matters, the march sought for child marriages to be banned as soon as possible, for the government to protect bodily autonomy and freedom of choice, to enact constitutional and legislative reform to achieve gender equality, equal political participation of oppressed genders at all levels of governance, and to ensure decent work standards and a living wage.