KUALA LUMPUR – Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul is unbothered over disparaging remarks hurled at him by opposition lawmakers outside Parliament over the way he conducts House proceedings.
Addressing the lower House today, Johari said there is “no issue” if anyone chooses to air their grouses about him, adding that he will remain firm on executing his role as speaker regardless of the condemnations thrown his way.
“I’m different from the Tan Sris before this. If anyone questions my authority and decision in the Dewan, I will take action.
“But, anyone is free to insult me outside (the Dewan Rakyat). You can call me unqualified, uneducated… it’s not an issue. I am here to serve the Dewan, (so) whatever is said against me outside is not my business.”
Noting that he remains responsible for both sides of the political aisle as he has a duty to oversee proceedings to ensure the best outcome for the people, Johari reiterated his warning for MPs to not involve him in their “political games”.
The speaker said this when responding to R.S.N. Rayer’s (Jelutong-PH) citation of Standing Order 99, which states that the speaker’s decision in the lower House is final, unless a motion is put forth to challenge the call.
Referencing media reports on opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s (Larut-PN) assertions questioning Johari’s credibility, Rayer said the Perikatan Nasional secretary-general should not have made such remarks outside the Dewan Rakyat.
On November 3, Hamzah poured scorn on Johari’s conduct in the lower House, claiming that the speaker was conspiring with the government to “protect” the interests of its ministers.
Speaking at a press conference, Hamzah alleged Johari had been acting unfairly towards opposition lawmakers due to his political ties with Pakatan Harapan component party PKR.
Such concerns, he said, were a non-issue when Johari’s predecessor, Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun, also known as Art Harun, helmed the post.
Previously, on October 12, Johari said he was “deeply offended” by the opposition’s insinuation that he practised favouritism towards his son, Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (Sg Petani-PH).
Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is also the Merlimau assemblyman, said MPs must prove that they are “better than schoolchildren” if they don’t wish to be called out for their absence in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said this in response to a report on how several MPs had voiced their objection to Johari’s decision to display the names on the Dewan Rakyat website of MPs found to have deliberately skipped parliamentary sittings.
“MPs must prove that they’re better than schoolchildren, not just shout in Parliament (while) debating immaturely about issues that don’t benefit the people at all,” Akmal said in a Facebook post today.
“We make it compulsory for children to attend school because that is their responsibility and an MP’s responsibility is to attend and debate issues of importance to the people.
“Leadership through example. If we can ask school children to be disciplined, why not ourselves? It’s as simple as that.” – November 6, 2023