By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 21: Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar today asked Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong to submit in writing her request for him to withdraw the word “biadap” (rude), which she claimed was unparliamentary, for his review.
The exchange took place at the beginning of this morning’s sitting when Yong raised the matter under Standing Order 32(4), referring to the unedited Hansard of yesterday’s (Oct 20) proceedings.
Yong said Asfia had used the word “biadap” against her, which she claimed was classified as unparliamentary language in the Malaysian and Singapore parliaments.
She requested that the Speaker withdraw the word and apologise to the House, but said she did not want the remark expunged from the record.
“I will not ask you to expunge it because by expunging the record, it is distorting the historical happening in this House,” she said.
Yong also argued that the Standing Orders applied equally to the Speaker, citing the Sarawak Legislative Assembly’s ordinance, which she said expressly included the chair of the Assembly in its definition of members.
In response, Asfia said Yong could not raise a point of order at that stage because the House had yet to begin the Order of the Day.
He cited Standing Order 12, which provides that government business takes precedence over other members’ business.
“If you want, you can submit to me in writing, I have a look at it. If there is anything in it, I’ll comment. If there’s nothing in it, I’ll just dismiss it,” he said.
Asfia did not make a ruling on Yong’s request during the exchange, instead directing her to submit it in writing for his consideration.
Yong was ordered out of the Sarawak Assembly sitting yesterday for misconduct after refusing to withdraw the words “political coward” from the Hansard following a complaint by Senadin assemblyman and Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. — DayakDaily
