KUALA LUMPUR: Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, who is suspended for six months from attending the Dewan Rakyat, can't be in the chamber during the session.
Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul today affirmed his decision regarding Wan Fayhsal.
Johari said this after Kota Baru MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan had raised Standing Order 44 (5) after the question-and-answer session and questioned Johari's Oct 15 prohibition.
Johari said: "This is my decision. While I am the speaker today, starting from Oct 15, any member who is ordered to leave, according to the Standing Order, must leave this chamber.
"The member can observe from outside but he cannot enter the chamber, as this will cause problems."
On Oct 21, Takiyuddin asked Deputy Speaker Ramli Mohd Nor, who was proceeding the session at that time, about the specifics of the letter barring Wan Fayhsal from sitting at the public gallery.
Wan Fayhsal was suspended for six months on July 18 over allegations he had made about Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd's privatisation.
Ramli said while Standing Order 44 (5) prevented a suspended member from participating in debates and did not mention restrictions with regard to the public gallery, the letter issued by Johari did mention the limits and defined the area.