KUALA LUMPUR – Dissatisfied with his ban from sitting at the Dewan Rakyat’s public gallery, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN) pointed out that the ruling failed to provide sufficient justification.
The Machang MP, who has been suspended from parliamentary sessions for six months, said Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Abdul Johari merely mentioned that his decision to disallow him from the public gallery was to prevent “problems”.
“What problems is he concerned about when I can’t even speak at the public gallery?
“The only thing I can assume is I might bring disease to the other parliamentarians, or I would bring some form of spiritual pressure,” Wan Fayhsal said at a press conference in Parliament today.
On “spiritual pressure”, Wan Fayhsal referred to a Japanese anime called Bleach, where a character named Ichigo used “Reiatsu” (spiritual pressure) against his enemy.
Nevertheless, the Machang MP appeared to accept that Johari’s decision was final and the speaker would not change his name.
However, Fahysal said due to the decision, his rights as a lawmaker are now less than a civilian who is allowed to sit in the public gallery.
Earlier today, Johari confirmed his decision that suspended MPs would not be allowed into the Dewan Rakyat chambers including the public gallery.
However, he clarified that they would still be allowed on the rest of Parliament’s premises and could watch the live feed.
Wan Fayhsal was suspended from the Dewan Rakyat on July 18 after referencing a poison-pen letter naming the alleged mastermind of the Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) privatisation deal.
He made the reference on July 1 during the debate on the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Malaysian Human Rights Commission for 2021 and 2022.
The Machang MP also disclosed the name of the individual mentioned in the anonymous letter as an employee of the Employees Provident Fund.
The motion to suspend him from Dewan Rakyat proceedings and Parliamentary Special Select Committee meetings received 110 votes in favour and 63 votes against, while three MPs abstained, and 46 were absent. – October 28, 2024