KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat erupted on Wednesday (March 5) when angry Opposition MPs claimed a government MP had accused them of not understanding democracy.
Dr Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani), during his debate on the Parliamentary Services Bill, said that 148 MPs who voted yes “understood democracy and the Bill”.
“I’m not making any accusations. That was just an assumption that they don’t understand,” he said when explaining the claims by the Opposition lawmakers.
Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN- Besut) earlier invoked Standing Order 36(12), concerning misleading the Dewan Rakyat, claiming that Dr Taufiq’s statement was alluding that the Opposition had no understanding of democracy.
“It was said that only 148 understood democracy, this means that (he alluded) that we (the Opposition) don’t.
“We abstained from voting due to other reasons, not because we don’t understand democracy,” he said.
Presiding Speaker Syahredzan Johan decided that Dr Taufiq’s statement did not go against Standing Order 36(12).
However, the MPs continued to argue otherwise.
“Besut, I have made my decision. If you’re not satisfied, you should know the procedures. You can make an appeal,” said Bangi MP.
On March 4, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the Opposition’s failure to vote for the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 at Dewan Rakyat shows their disinterest in supporting efforts to strengthen Parliament as an independent institution.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is one of the bills to revive the Parliamentary Services Act (PSA), was passed at the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.
The Federal Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 are in relation to the proposed revival of the PSA.
