KUALA LUMPUR: Pendang member of parliament Datuk Awang Hashim has been ejected from the Dewan Rakyat for two days.
The Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Johari Abdul kicked out the Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmaker for failing to adhere to the house rules during the winding-up session of the 2023 Supply Bill today.
Economic Minster Rafizi Ramli (Pakatan Harapan-Pandan) was explaining the government's commitment in dealing with the nation's debt, including the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal as well as weak governance during the previous administration.
Awang, however, kept interrupting the Pandan MP and said the liability came from the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) administration, which was now part of the unity government.
To this, Rafizi said: "Pendang (Awang) can be the clown during other minister's sessions, but not mine. I have other important matters to attend to."
Rafizi's remarks, however, sparked anger among PN MPs, who claimed that his statement was ill-intended and demanded him to retract it.
Johari, who had earlier warned Awang to sit down, then ordered him to leave the Dewan Rakyat sitting for two days: "You are ejected for two days, out now."
Unfazed, Awang refused to leave the August House and demanded Rafizi to issue an apology and retract his statement.
"I did say the word 'clown' but I am merely comparing the situation with the accusations that have been thrown towards us (the government). However, I will retract my statement so Pendang, please go out," said Rafizi.
The exchange between the two blocs continued until Johari warned the MPs that they will receive the same fate as Awang should they continue their banter.
"If the minister is not allowing you the space to interrupt, then don't (interrupt them). I have stated this many times but you (Awang) keep interrupting the session.
"I feel that I cannot control the house anymore as the people are watching and wanting to listen to the debate. So, please go out."