'You are all old, not children,' Johari scolds MPs

New Straits Times

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul today gave an earful to members of parliament after a shouting match erupted during the debate.
Johari, who had taken over the session from Suhaizan Kayat, reminded MPs that schoolchildren were present in the gallery and witnessing them swearing and using inappropriate language.
"There are schoolchildren here. I can also hear swearing and the use of bad language from the chamber, yet we say we want this country and its leaders to progress.
"Give respect to leaders; both sides have previously been in government, so please.
"Shut up, both sides, and please sit down," he said, adding that MPs are only permitted to stand with a standing order.
Johari's warning, however, was ignored as Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN - Pendang) and RSN Rayer (PH - Jelutong) attempted to speak despite his instruction.
He then cautioned the two that they risked suspension if they continued.
"Pendang and Jelutong, do you want me to suspend you? Please behave. What is this behaviour? What kind of elected representatives are you?
"Embarrassing. Very shameful of you all. Shameful.
"You are already old, not children, yet you want to fight. No one should fight after this," he said, before instructing Young Syefura Othman (PH–Bentong) to begin her debate speech.
Later, Rayer raised another point of order, seeking guidance from Johari over what he claimed was an act of intimidation towards him by Awang and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN - Arau)
"From the first day, I have stood to draw attention to Pendang's (Awang) repeated references to May 13.
"Today, after the speech, I rose in an orderly manner and did not ask Marang (Tan Abdul Hadi Awang) to withdraw his statement.
"I only sought guidance in a respectful and orderly manner, as I respect his position as the leader of his party.
"However, Pendang then stood and made various remarks towards me, including being disrespectful. Together with Arau and Pas MPs, they stood at the back door, inviting me to step outside to fight with them.
"Everyone saw it, so I went out to ask what their problem was. This was an act of provocation, challenging my right to speak," he said.
Johari responded that he did not hear what was said by Abdul Hadi and would review the Hansard before making a decision.
He added that he would also check the camera footage and decide tomorrow, asking members to put the matter to rest for now.
Earlier, tempers flared in the Dewan Rakyat after Abdul Hadi (PN - Marang) implied during his debate speech that Kuala Lumpur's problems stem from the unity government.
The uproar followed Abdul Hadi's 13th Malaysia Plan debate speech, in which he recited a poem containing the line: "KL is problematic due to DAP, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and friends."
The remark prompted government backbenchers Chong Zemin (PH–Kampar) and Rayer to raise a point of order, asking Suhaizan, who was the presiding speaker, to address the matter.
They argued that Abdul Hadi's statement did not address substantive issues in the 13MP.