Gobind Singh Deo with Karpal Singh and Teresa Kok after the decision of his one-year suspension by the Dewan Rakyat today. The Puchong MP was suspended for calling Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a murderer and insulting the House Deputy Speaker last week.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today suspended DAP’s Gobind Singh Deo for one year for calling Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak a murderer and insulting the House Deputy Speaker last week.
The motion to suspend the Puchong MP for a year without Parliamentary pay and privileges was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz this morning and was supported by all Barisan Nasional Backbenchers. It was passed via a vote of voice after a heated 45-minute debate.
On Thursday, Gobind was asked to leave the House by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee after he shouted: “Answer me, you murderer!” to Najib as the latter was leaving the House.
Earlier, Opposition MPs objected to the tabling of the motion citing Parliamentary Standing Order which states that matters concerning the privileges of the House should be referred to the Committee of Privileges.
“I believe it is clear according to Standing Order 80 (1) we are required to refer this matter to the Committee of Privileges,” said Tumpat MP Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, however, said that the Speaker has wide and absolute powers to interpret the Standing Orders.
“The House has bigger powers than the Committee of Privileges, I want you, the members of the House, to debate and decide on the matter,” Pandikar told the House.
To a question by Lim Kit Siang on why the matter was deemed to be of public interest, Pandikar said it was because it involves the image of the Parliament.
While Ipoh Barat representative M Kulasegaran asked the Speaker whether the suspension would amount to double jeopardy as Gobind had already faced action when he was ejected from the House on Thursday.
Pandikar explained that after Gobind was asked to leave he had made a statement which was insulting to the Deputy Speaker.
“After he was ordered to leave, he stood up and said ‘Mr Speaker, you should be ashamed of yourself’,” said Pandikar.
Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh also questioned the validity of the motion as Najib explained the DAP chairman was not a party in the Altantuya Shaaribuu murder case.
“So, how can this be subjudice?” asked the veteran MP.
Later, in his winding-up speech, Nazri said there was no need for the House to determine the reason why Gobind made the statement.
“His rude behaviour to the Deputy Prime Minister was sufficient,” said Nazri who delivered his five-minute speech amid interruption by PR lawmakers.
The decision prompted Opposition MPs to stage a walkout.
The motion to suspend the Puchong MP for a year without Parliamentary pay and privileges was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz this morning and was supported by all Barisan Nasional Backbenchers. It was passed via a vote of voice after a heated 45-minute debate.
On Thursday, Gobind was asked to leave the House by Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee after he shouted: “Answer me, you murderer!” to Najib as the latter was leaving the House.
Earlier, Opposition MPs objected to the tabling of the motion citing Parliamentary Standing Order which states that matters concerning the privileges of the House should be referred to the Committee of Privileges.
“I believe it is clear according to Standing Order 80 (1) we are required to refer this matter to the Committee of Privileges,” said Tumpat MP Datuk Kamarudin Jaafar.
Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, however, said that the Speaker has wide and absolute powers to interpret the Standing Orders.
“The House has bigger powers than the Committee of Privileges, I want you, the members of the House, to debate and decide on the matter,” Pandikar told the House.
To a question by Lim Kit Siang on why the matter was deemed to be of public interest, Pandikar said it was because it involves the image of the Parliament.
While Ipoh Barat representative M Kulasegaran asked the Speaker whether the suspension would amount to double jeopardy as Gobind had already faced action when he was ejected from the House on Thursday.
Pandikar explained that after Gobind was asked to leave he had made a statement which was insulting to the Deputy Speaker.
“After he was ordered to leave, he stood up and said ‘Mr Speaker, you should be ashamed of yourself’,” said Pandikar.
Bukit Gelugor MP Karpal Singh also questioned the validity of the motion as Najib explained the DAP chairman was not a party in the Altantuya Shaaribuu murder case.
“So, how can this be subjudice?” asked the veteran MP.
Later, in his winding-up speech, Nazri said there was no need for the House to determine the reason why Gobind made the statement.
“His rude behaviour to the Deputy Prime Minister was sufficient,” said Nazri who delivered his five-minute speech amid interruption by PR lawmakers.
The decision prompted Opposition MPs to stage a walkout.
16/03/09
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