KUALA LUMPUR: Any Member of Parliament (MP) who has been ordered to leave the Dewan Rakyat must not only leave the chamber but is also prohibited from being in the public gallery within the chamber, says Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker made the ruling in response to a query regarding the suspension of Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal from the Dewan Rakyat.
“From Oct 15 onwards, any MP directed to leave the chamber under Standing Orders must vacate the entire chamber, including the area (public gallery).
“They may follow the proceedings from outside the chamber, but they are not allowed to re-enter, as it could lead to numerous complications,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (Oct 18).
This clarification came following concerns raised by Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru-PN) who argued earlier that the Machang MP, although suspended, should be allowed to sit in the public gallery.
“The public gallery, is, after all, a public space. It’s not like he can speak from there, simply sitting down and observing.
“The Opposition calls on you to review this decision to at least allow Machang to sit in the public gallery because he is suspended for six months and that is a long time.
“It doesn’t match the severity of the offence,” Takiyuddin said.
ALSO READ: ‘Immunity does not give MPs free reign in the House’
Takiyuddin, in his argument, likened the situation to a football player who, after being shown a red card, must leave the field but can still watch the match from the stands.
“When a football player is shown a red card, they are removed from the field but can still sit in the stands.
“While the Speaker has mentioned that Machang can follow the proceedings from outside the parliamentary complex through live broadcasts, this is akin to watching the match from outside the stadium instead of being inside the stadium itself.”
Takiyuddin also pointed out that the Speaker had not explicitly stated, at the time of the suspension, that Machang would be barred from the public gallery.
He argued that this ambiguity should give Machang the benefit of the doubt.
However, Johari stood firm on his decision, explaining that allowing suspended MPs to remain within the chamber, even in the public gallery, could lead to further issues.
He reiterated that the chamber must be vacated entirely by MPs under suspension, and they are only permitted to follow proceedings from outside the chamber itself.
