White armbands not against Parliament rules, says Deputy Speaker

KUALA LUMPUR: The white armbands that Perikatan Nasional MPs are wearing as a sign of protest are not against the rules, says Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Nor.

“As long as one’s outfit does not violate the (dress code) rules of the House, please carry on,” he said while presiding over Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 16).

Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) had asked about the armbands.

"I have a question. I saw the group on the other side wearing white armbands. Some were huge and others were small. There were also long ones. Has there been a calamity?” he asked.

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After Ramli said that the armbands did not violate the rules, Bung replied that the gesture could be emulated.

The MPs began wearing the armbands on Monday (July 15) to protest against Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s decision not to vacate the seats of six former Bersatu MPs.

Several MPs also recited poems slamming the Speaker’s decision during Question Time on Monday.

Last week, Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin slammed Johari for deciding not to vacate the seats of the six: Syed Abu Hussin Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar), Datuk Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan) and Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi (Tanjong Karang).

They had previously pledged support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and ceased being party members after failing to reply to letters requiring them to pledge loyalty to Bersatu.