Opposition MPs stage walkout over 'due process', Pendang rep suspended

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition MPs staged a walkout at the Dewan Rakyat, claiming that the process in which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was allowed to present a motion of gratitude to the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah while welcoming His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, did not follow due process.

In the commotion, Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) was also ejected and suspended from the lower House for four days for not abiding by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s order to sit despite repeated warnings.

Describing the situation as “out of the ordinary”, Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin questioned how such a scenario was possible.

He also alleged the process did not abide by Parliament's standing orders.

“It is the tyranny of the majority. Just because they have the majority, they can do whatever they want to the point of not following the rules that have always been practised,” he told a press conference at the Parliament media centre on Tuesday (Feb 27).

Perikatan whip Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the motion tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, to allow Anwar to deliver his speech, was not included in the order paper.

He said Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam), on behalf of the government, already tabled a motion to express gratitude towards the King.

“The motion will then be supported by the Batang Sadong MP, followed by the backbenchers chairman Paya Besar (MP).

“The Prime Minister can take his turn from the third week of Dewan Rakyat proceedings when ministers round up their responses,” he said.

Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin claimed what happened was an abuse of power.

“We do not agree with it as the people may think the Opposition is just letting the government do as wish.

“Today, we want to prove that as long as they (the government) do not follow the rules, we will oppose,” Hamzah told the same press conference.

While presenting his motion of thanks earlier, Prime Minister Anwar took a jab at the commotion by the Opposition, saying they had failed to show respect to the royal institution through their actions.

“This is the issue in our country, they don't understand and are only driven by vengeance and blind jealousy,” he said.

Anwar then continued his motion of thanks towards the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah.

He also congratulated His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia as the 17th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.