‘Gangsters’ remark sparks two-hour Parliament ruckus
KUALA LUMPUR: There was a two-hour commotion in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday morning with the Members of Parliament (MP) from both sides engaging in a war of words over the word “gangsters.
The commotion broke out when Datuk Johari Abdul (PH-Sungai Petani) was debating the motion of thanks for the royal address of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, saying that Malaysia was lucky as the people of different backgrounds, race and religion could live in peace and harmony by practising mutual respect.
At this point, opposition MP Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) interjected and said that he agreed with Johari, but then went on rapping several government MPs who he claimed had made a provocation and did not practise what was being preached.
“They are reopening old wounds while we are trying to open a new chapter,” he said referring to R.S.N Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who had interjected Johari’s speech earlier and reiterated an old incident involving former Bukit Gelugor MP, the late Karpal Singh, who was allegedly assaulted by Umno Youth members in the Parliament compound in 2009.
The current Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh also interjected Johari’s speech and called Umno Youth members “gangsters”.
“A wheelchair-bound being attacked by uncouth, uncivilised Umno Youth members. They are here today. Where’s the Umno Youth chief? Where is he? I heard that Karpal was assaulted not only by one, but five Umno Youth gangsters,” Ramkarpal Singh said.
The use of the word “gangsters” irked the government backbenchers and heated argument ensued as they demanded Ramkarpal Singh to retract the word.
At this point, Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said (BN-Kuala Krau) interjected and mentioned Standing Order 36 (4), which reads that any impolite words must be retracted.
He then insisted that Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon, who was presiding, to make a ruling on the matter.
Mohd Rashid then ordered Ramkarpal Singh to retract the word, but the latter refused, hence causing further chaos until the sitting was adjourned for lunch break.
When the Dewan Rakyat resumed its sitting in the afternoon, Ramkarpal became the first government MP to be sent out of the House.
Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof made the decision to send out Ramkarpal Singh under Standing Order 44 (2) after the MP refused to retract the word “gangsters”.
“I am giving the first warning. Please retract (the word). We wish to continue with the speech of Sungai Petani (MP). You (show) respect. That is the business of today. Retract. Sergeant-at-arms, do your duty,” Mohamad Ariff said in ordering Ramkarpal Singh to be removed from the House.
The Speaker, however, did not state the period of suspension of Ramkarpal Singh from the House. - Bernama