KUALA LUMPUR: Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham wants to know if the photographer who claimed he was vaping in the Dewan Rakyat has been called up.
Ikmal, from Perikatan Nasional, said the photo by a photographer from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) had garnered over a million views.
He said he had already declared that he was not vaping as claimed, and in fact, had not smoked in 20 years.
Ikmal also read out Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul’s letter which said no action was taken against the lawmaker as there was no proof of him vaping in the august House.
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“I am thankful but this is not (cleared up),” he said in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 9).
“Have any CCTV checks been done? This pertains to my image which has now been tarnished,” he added.
Ikmal said as it had been proven that he did not vape as claimed, outsiders who were given access to Parliament should be reprimanded for making baseless claims against lawmakers.
“Do not simply viral (claims), as it pertains to the dignity of lawmakers,” he added.
Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) said Parliament should conduct an internal investigation based on CCTV footage.
“Parliament should have done an internal investigation before it issued a show-cause letter to (Tanah Merah). His image as an MP should have been defended by Parliament,” he said.
Citing the Houses of Parliament (Privileges and Powers) Act 1952, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Baru) said the Opposition viewed the matter seriously.
“It has been proven that a photographer from PMO has taken the photo and viralled it (with a wrongful claim). Has a photographer from the PMO become a paparazzo, checking on who is doing wrong, in a seditious way?" asked the Opposition chief whip.
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“Will Parliament call up the photographer who, I understand, admitted to the mistake? I hope Parliament will provide (clarification) on this," he said.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Noh, who presided over the session, said Ikmal’s motion had been received and the Speaker had made a decision with the remedy provided.
He said the points raised by Takiyuddin and Kiandee could be filed as motions.
A picture of Ikmal holding a pen-shaped object to his mouth was circulated on Sept 19.
Ikmal denied that he was vaping inside the Dewan Rakyat, insisting that the cylindrical object was a pen and not a vape device.
He also said he would be taking legal action against the photographer for alleged defamation.
