KUALA LUMPUR: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has suspended Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) for 10 days for allegedly insulting him in a TikTok video.
He said Awang made negative remarks about him through the video on July 18, 2024, as he detailed in the lower house on Nov 6, 2024.
"Although I submitted a letter to Yang Berhormat on July 22, 2024, requesting you to retract those remarks and issue an apology, no action has been taken.
"I have sent a letter, requested for the Dewan Rakyat secretary to meet with you and asked the (opposition) chief whip to speak with you, but until now, you have not taken any action," he said.
The speaker's decision led to a heated exchange of shouts between opposition members of parliament and several government backbenchers.
Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran), who was Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, said Johari's decision would set an "extraordinary precedent", adding that it was "not proper" to use his power to penalise someone for making a statement outside of the chambers.
Johari then explained that Awang had made the statement just outside of the chambers.
"He said: 'Injustice has occurred both inside and outside Parliament. Currently, Parliament is under the control of the speaker, Tan Sri, who is committing injustices, starting with Pendang, followed by Machang, and will continue to cause injustice if not stopped now.
"The one who asked him to be ejected from Parliament (at the time) was not me, but my deputy. Why did you link it to me?"
Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) then interjected and said a judge cannot judge themselves as it was a conflict of interest.
He said Johari should not preside over his own case to maintain his integrity.
Kiandee added that by convention, in a case involving an MP and the speaker, the deputy speaker would preside over the session.
"As said by Yang Berhormat Kota Baru, you should recuse yourself from this issue, especially since it happened outside the Dewan Rakyat, in TikTok. It should be subject to investigation.
"I am okay if we are being suspended even for six months, but it has to be based on facts, and the correct processes and procedures."
Syahredzan Johan (PH-Bangi) and Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham (PH-Beruas) argued that a judge had the authority against anyone found guilty of contempt of court.
Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) suggested for the issue to be referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee instead.
More MPs continued to stand, trying to interject. Johari then said he had a lot of bills to go through and that his decision was final.
"This is my final decision. Please. With this, I invoke Standing Orders 99, 99A and 100. Done."
These rulings stipulate that the decision of the speaker was final.