KUALA LUMPUR: Pendang member of parliament (MP) Datuk Awang Hashim was ejected from the Dewan Rakyat for three days after refusing to retract a statement labelling a government backbencher as "anti-Islam."
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Ramli Md Nor made the ruling after Awang ignored three warnings to retract his statement about RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong).
The incident stemmed from Rayer's comments about Awang using the term "enam jahanam" to describe the six former Bersatu members who declared support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Rayer said that Awang's statement was not reflective of his values as a member of the Islamist party Pas.
Following this, Awang raised Standing Order 36(6) which stated that no member of the house shall impute improper motives to any other member.
"I am raising this as he (Rayer) had mentioned my name (in his debate), he is anti-Islam, (and) this is why DAP defend gamblers, including those in Kedah," said Awang.
His remarks, however, had caused an uproar among the government backbenchers, including Rayer who instructed him to retract his statement.
Rayer: I request him to retract his statement, who is defending (the gamblers)?
Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru): Speaker, this is a heavy and serious accusation that is not good for the people (to see).
Ramli: Please sit down, I am chairing the session and please continue with what you have to say Pendang (Awang).
Awang: He mentioned my name on the "enam jahanam" remarks made and he relates it with (me) being a Muslim. He also made the same remarks the other day where he mentioned what kind of a Muslim (I am) like this. (Hence,) he is an anti-islam and he defended gamblers in Kedah.
However, Ramli, after hearing Awang's explanation, concluded that the statement made by the latter must be retracted as the arguments raised by Rayer and Sim were logical.
Ramli also said that as MPs, they were responsible in harmonising the house proceedings and to not point fingers against each other.
"Look upstairs (pointing to the audience), is this what we want to portray to the people out there? Hence, please retract your statement," said Ramli.
To this, Awang stood firm in his decision to not retract the statement made against Rayer, despite chances given by Ramli.
Awang: It (the statement) is because he always relates things with Islam, he is anti-Islam.
Ramli: I am not allowing you to talk, I am only instructing you to retract the statement, please.
Awang: I apologise but I will not retract the statement made against Jelutong (Rayer) because he is anti-Islam.
Ramli: Retract the statement, Pendang.
Awang: I remain with my principles, I will not retract the statement.
Ramli: I am giving a warning, one… two… three… do you want to retract it?
Awang: No.
Ramli: As such, sergeant-at-arms (bentara), please be seated out for three days. I do not want any unnecessary interruptions in the house proceedings.
Ramli's orders were then lauded by government backbenchers.