KUALA LUMPUR – Today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting kicked off with a bang, as Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul banned the usage of the terms ‘zionist’, ‘yahudi’ and ‘kafir’ from being uttered during debate proceedings.
The ruling, he said, was to remind MPs that the Dewan Rakyat debate focuses on the people’s plight, instead of touching on racial issues or other sensitive matters.
Johari also said his directive is effective from today onwards, after Khoo Poay Tiong (Kota Melaka-PH) pointed out that Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (Arau-PN) and Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (Pendang-PN) had associated him with the now banned words during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on October 18.
“My order is effective starting today. So whatever has been said previously, MPs can put it in motion, and I will have a look at it.
“Let’s not associate anybody in this Dewan Rakyat with these words… especially now when the situation out there is very sensitive.”
Johari pointed out that his stern warning, that comes with banning the use of the three words, is in accordance with Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Order 36(10)(C), that stated that it is wrong to use any words that would offend others during debate.
He also told MPs to leave any personal matters, especially those uttered outside Parliament from being part of the debate proceedings in accordance with Standing Order 23(1)(i).
“Personal issues brought up outside the august house must be settled outside the
august house,” he added. – October 23, 2023