KUALA LUMPUR: Chaos erupted in the Dewan Rakyat after a Perikatan Nasional member of Parliament raised the issue of a supposed addendum order from the previous Yang di-Pertuan Agong allowing Datuk Seri Najib Razak house arrest.
The incident began after Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) questioned the existence of the addendum order.
"It became an issue when the second-highest official in the country filed an affidavit to support the leader's application, who happened to be from his party."
Takiyuddin was referring to the affidavit filed by Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in which the Deputy Prime Minister said he sighted the addendum order allowing Najib house arrest.
This prompted a reaction from RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who accused Takiyuddin of breaching Standing Order 36(8), which prohibits any MP from speaking about the behaviour or actions of the Agong.
However, Takiyuddin said he was questioning the person who filed the affidavit.
"I want to know if this matter (the addendum) exists. It's impossible for the prime minister and the ministers present in this House to not know whether this addendum exists. The public wants to know," he said.
Rayer then said Takiyuddin's behaviour was inappropriate for a lawyer.
"Kota Baru (Takiyuddin) repeatedly refers to the behaviour of the Agong. Please retract your statement," he said.
Deputy Speaker Alice Lau then told Takiyuddin not to speak about the Agong's actions or decisions.
"Kota Baru, I will not allow any mention of the behaviour or decisions made by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The time is up. What was mentioned just now will be addressed later by the minister," she said.
Takiyuddin then said, "the fact needs to be stated".
Opposition leader, Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) then interjected, saying Takiyuddin was merely explaining the mentioned addendum.
Lau, however, maintained her decision.
In April, Najib filed a judicial review to establish the existence of the addendum order dated January 29, issued by the former Yang di-Pertuan Agong, which he claims the government has kept silent about.
He named the Home Minister, Prison Department Commissioner General, Attorney-General, Federal Territories Pardons Board, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), Legal Affairs Division director-general, and the government as respondents.
In July, the Kuala Lumpur High Court rejected Najib's application, saying the four affidavits to support his claim, including the one from Zahid, were hearsay.
Najib has filed an appeal.