07-26-2021, 12:37 PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) caused an uproar in the Dewan Rakyat this morning by asking Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun if he was “a government lapdog”, over his decision not to table the Emergency Ordinance in the Dewan Rakyat.
“You were also a lawyer. You understand that the ordinance and proclamation of emergency must be brought to Parliament.
“The Speaker must understand rules that regulate the House, and that it cannot supersede the Constitution.
“Are you a government lapdog,” Ramkarpal then asked, causing a stir among government MPs.
“You have disgraced this Dewan. You are not fit to chair,” he said, before asking Azhar to resign.
In response, Azhar said the special sitting was held under Standing Order 11(3).
“Under this order, it is the prime minister who notifies me of the need to have a sitting. It is also the prime minister who determines the agenda of the sitting. The provision is very specific,” he said.
However, Ramkarpal persisted, asking if Standing Order 11(3) superseded the constitution.
Salahuddin Ayub (PH-Pulai) then weighed in, telling the Speaker that he was misleading the House.
“The King decreed that the emergency ordinance should be put up for debate in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.
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