Loud and clear: Johari has issued the order that any MP directed to leave the chamber is not allowed to re-enter. — Bernama
ANY lawmaker who has been ordered to leave the Dewan Rakyat is also prohibited from being in the public gallery within the Lower House, says Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker ruled 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 yesterday.
This came following concerns raised by Kota Baru MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, 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 was suspended for six months, and that is a long time.”
Takiyuddin 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.
“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.”
He 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, saying that allowing suspended MPs to remain within the chamber, even in the public gallery, could lead to further issues.
He reiterated that the Dewan Rakyat must be vacated entirely by MPs under suspension, and they were only permitted to follow proceedings from outside Parliament.
