THE brandishing of the ‘Blue Book’ – the Standing Orders – is now no longer allowed during the question and answer session as part of the measures by the Chair to “renew” Parliament.
Raising a point of order has lately become a “tool” by certain MPs to delay proceedings and get the attention of the Speaker.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN - Pasir Salak) this when the latter raised a point of order before the session got underway yesterday.
Tajuddin had claimed that Gobind Singh Deo (DAP - Puchong), who was expelled from the House by the Chair on Monday, had uttered remarks in the lobby disparaging Parliament and the Speaker.
“After discussions with the Speaker yesterday, we have decided that from now, we will no longer entertain any issue raised on the point of order during this session.
“All pertinent issues on this will now be brought forward to after the question and answer session,” he told the House.
However, he told Tajuddin that he would bring his argument to Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia later.
The decision brought on a fiery protest from Fong Po Kuan (DAP - Batu Gajah), who demanded further explanation, arguing that this “was not a right move”.
“What if a MP brings up seditious remarks in the House or makes misleading statements?” she asked.
Dr Wan Junaidi pointed out that this was the practice in both the English and the New Zealand Parliaments.
“This is your opinion, Yang Berhormat. We have all read up on the matter more than you did. This is part of the measures of renewal in the Parliament we are trying to implement.
Later, Dr Wan Junaidi said the new measure was not aimed at stopping MPs from speaking.
“We just do not want to waste time on ‘point of order’.
“In the House of Commons, the Prime Minister can answer 13 questions in 30 minutes because there is no interference,” he said.
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