KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul today clarified that opposition members of Parliament will be allowed to speak on the discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) of corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said he promised to give the MPs space to speak, although the motions filed by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) and Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang-PN) were rejected.
He said they will be able to do so after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim concludes the presentation of the mid-term review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
"But I did not say (immediately) today.
"I meant that we have six days, you can speak and I will not stop you.
"Do not push me, do not ask why not today. We have six days," he said today.
He also explained that the motions was rejected due to precedents in the the previous parliament session on similar instances.
He said that back in July 23, 2021, the then speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun rejected motions filed by then Port Dickson member of parliament Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham to debate the proclamation of emergency.
He cited the Standing Order 11(3) that the the Prime Minister has the authority to decide the order of the day.
In this case, then former Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin did not allow the motions to be discussed on that day.
"This is a special sitting, so the decision is made by Prime Minister (Anwar)," he added.