KUALA LUMPUR – An uproar in Parliament culminated in Datuk Awang Hashim (Pendang-PN) being ejected from the lower House after he refused to withdraw comments implying favouritism towards Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (Sg Petani-PH).
Commotion first erupted after Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Alice Lau (Lanang-PH) informed the august House that her fellow deputy Datuk Ramli Md Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN) had approved a motion put forth by Taufiq.
The motion, which Taufiq had submitted yesterday, addresses the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry’s discovery of nearly half a million ringgit worth of local white rice stashed in a warehouse in Kedah as the nation faces a shortage of the foodstuff.
“The motion was found to be detailed, of public interest, and should be expedited. As such, the motion will be debated in the Dewan Rakyat’s special chambers at 2.30pm today,” Lau said.
This ruling incited the ire of opposition lawmakers, particularly Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) who questioned why two motions he had submitted on Tuesday have yet to be approved.
Awang, who was heard chiming in to ostensibly explain the call by quipping “anak papa (father’s child),” later claimed that there could be “conflict of interest” due to how Taufiq is the son of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
His comments triggered a round of criticism from government backbenchers, with several lawmakers calling on Awang to withdraw his statement, especially since Lau had explained that Taufiq’s motion was approved by Ramli, not Johari.
In response, an apparently defiant Awang said: “I didn’t mean anything. Everyone is anak papa, even I myself am one. Why is (Taufiq) offended?”
Amidst the ensuing exchange of heated words, PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man’s (Kubang Kerian-PN) attempt to ease tensions by suggesting that the House proceed with its scheduled agenda was shot down by a riled up R.S.N Rayer (Jelutong-PH).
Rayer, who continuously urged Awang to abide by Lau’s order for him to retract his “conflict of interest” comment, was then interrupted by opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (Larut-PN), who defended Awang’s statement.
“(Awang) said that there’s a conflict of interest because (Taufiq) is anak papa, which is why the deputy speaker was made to announce the decision to allow the motion.
“It’s true that there’s a conflict of interest because the deputy speaker was made to make the decision (on allowing the motion). Why don’t you (Taufiq) want to admit that you’re anak papa? Why are we fighting over this?” he questioned, garnering even more brickbats from government MPs.
Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad (Kuala Selangor-PH) then chimed in to say that a conflict of interest can only be inferred if the motions Shahidan submitted were on the same topic as Taufiq’s proposed debate.
For the record, Shahidan had earlier explained that his two motions were on the government’s decision to bring in foreign nurses and barbers as well as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s (Bagan Datuk-PH) offer of aid during the state elections.
After Lau’s repeated orders for Awang to retract his comments were unsuccessful, the deputy speaker then ordered the lawmaker to leave the Dewan Rakyat and only return for the afternoon session. – October 12, 2023