PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s comment about the opposition having the right to try and topple the unity government hit a raw nerve at the Dewan Rakyat.
A shouting match between a backbencher and Opposition MPs ensued, forcing Deputy Speaker Alice Lau to warn MPs that they would be booted out of the House if they continued to trade barbs over the issue.
The hubbub was sparked by Pakatan Harapan’s Jelutong MP RSN Rayer displaying a report from The Star to draw attention to Marang MP Abdul Hadi’s statement and calling it an act of treason.
“I demand the Home Minister investigate it (the statement) as it is against the law under the Penal Code,” Rayer said when debating Budget 2023 at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He accused Abdul Hadi of committing an offence by trying to undermine a democratically elected government.
Parit Buntar MP Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki, of Perikatan Nasional-PAS, then stood up to say that under the rules of the House, an MP should not make any malicious assumptions against another MP.
“YB (Rayer) said YB Marang was in the midst of planning ... this is a malicious assumption.
“YB Marang did not say this but was merely making a political statement by looking at the current development,” Mohd Misbahul said.
Besut MP Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh, also from PAS, was heard raising his voice at Rayer to retract his statement against Abdul Hadi.
Several MPs from both sides then joined in the shouting match, with Rayer noting that Abdul Hadi’s remarks were reported by the media.
Perikatan-PAS’ Ketereh MP Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor was heard challenging several government backbenchers to lodge a police report against Abdul Hadi if they had evidence. Lau called for calm among the rowing MPs.
“If you feel hot, please take a rest,” she said as she ordered Rayer to wrap up his debate.
Just then, Che Mohamad stood up, citing Standing Order 23 (I), and said newspaper reports could not be used to verify or deny a particular matter.
He then proceeded to defend the PAS president’s statement, resulting in another exchange of words between both sides.
Lau then sternly called for order among the MPs, saying they would be ejected from the House if they continued to speak without permission.
On Monday, Abdul Hadi said at the Parliament lobby that no one could stop the opposition from making plans to oust the government.
During his debate on Budget 2023 on Feb 28, the Marang MP told the Dewan Rakyat that Perikatan should not be blamed if the unity government collapsed, adding that the government should acknowledge its own flaws and weaknesses.Later, at another event, he repeated his prediction that the current administration would fall soon.
On March 3, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim retorted by telling Abdul Hadi that it was his right to plan and dream of the government collapsing.
