DEWAN Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul issued a warning to MPs against criticising civil servants involved in the Malaysia-US trade deal.
The warning came after the ministerial briefing by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
“Anyone either at this or that side (referring to both government and opposition MPs) who insults the civil servants, I will take action," Johari said.
“Do not make hasty comments. Listen to what the minister has to say. Do not insult the civil servants even if you need to raise question or feel dissatisfied with the minister, but do not mock the civil servants.
“I have heard people insulting the KSU (secretary-general) and so on. Do not challenge me,” he added.
In his speech, Tengku Zafrul expressed gratitude to the civil servants involved in the negotiating process of a trade deal which took 18 months to complete.
He voiced dissatisfaction with lawmakers who mocked the efforts of those who were involved in the trade negotiation.
“I am disappointed that there are those who mock the efforts by our team. I understand if the attacks were politically motivated but do not belittle the hard work and sacrifices by our civil servants. Some MPs claims the deal means we sacrificed the country.
“My question to you, do you mean the civil servants want to sacrifice the country? Enough with politics,” he said.
