KOTA BARU: The suspension of Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal for six months is based on a motion submitted by the government, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
He said he was merely carrying out his duties and that Wan Fayhsal was not the first person to face such action.
"The issue about him (Wan Fayhsal) not being able to defend himself is his own view.
"In reality, there are several methods (to take action against MPs), with the first being the method applied to Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who was referred to the parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.
"Another method is where the government itself moves the motion, and in these cases, I am only managing it.
"This method is allowed as six or seven MP have been subjected to action based on this procedure.
"I am merely administering the duties as stipulated in the law, and this motion must come from the government as they are the ones who introduced the motion."
He said this after a Dewan Rakyat speaker working visit programme to the Kelantan State Assembly in conjunction with the Conference of Speakers of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies of Malaysia.
Present was Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
Previously, Wan Fayhsal said he could defend himself in the Rights and Privileges Committee if he had been called first before the suspension was imposed on him.
The Bersatu Youth chief was suspended for six months, effective July 17, following his disclosure of an anonymous letter related to the sale of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd shares to BlackRock.
Johari added that the decision could not be reversed, and those who were dissatisfied could submit a motion, which must go through several processes.
He said the chief whip could review any speeches to avoid action being taken against MPs.
"This is the role of the chief whip, and in the case of Wan Fayhsal, his speech extended over several days, and I am not sure whether the chief whip overlooked this.
"The chief whip must always stay in communication with the Dewan Rakyat speaker, and I am always ready to receive visits."