Malaysian Opposition MP Insults Deputy Speaker

The Malaysian Parliament was quite eventful with the Deputy Speaker, Nga Kor Ming, barring an opposition MP, Noh Omar for three days after he disobeyed an order. Omar, who belongs to the Barisan Nasional, was not present in the House.

“As the Speaker, my duty is not just to chair the proceedings with fairness and trust. The responsibility demands that I safeguard and uphold the image and integrity of the institution of the Parliament,” said Nga. “As Tanjung Karang (Mr Noh) has acted without decency and deliberately insulted the meeting and disregarded the authority of the Chair by accusing the Chair of being unqualified to hold the position. This is an ‘open insult’ to the Chair and the House.”

The Speaker then ordered Tanjung Karang out of the House for three days. He advised Mr Noh and other MPs to take this as a lesson. Following this, 20 opposition lawmakers staged a walkout. A day earlier, Mr Noh had accused the Deputy Speaker of being unqualified to hold the position. He had reportedly said a coalition between the United Malays National Organization and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia would lead to a Taliban state.

Mr Noh refused to leave the House saying that the suspension was ordered without his presence. “Can punishment be meted out without my presence? When was this case?” He added that he was fighting the manner in which the suspension was made.